TooManyQuestions
27th July 2013, 20:40
I had an idea an want some political / historical perspective on it. If your contribution to this discussion is going to be negative, please be critical rather than insulting. Is it really worth your time otherwise?
It may sound like the failed "hippy commune" but I don't think so.
The idea behind the VSC is that each individual would make an agreement with the community as a whole (written or otherwise) to do something that contributes to the community. In exchange the community gives the person food, shelter, medical care, et cetera. This would exist in the modern economic framework so the community might have to establish some kind of legal framework for itself.
One way this could happen is if the VSC owned some farmland and then built housing one it. The old farmhouse could be a community center, and there would be a storehouse that would act as a free general store / cafeteria. A small school might be established for any children. The housing could range from small economies to duplexes, depending on the preferences and needs of the community members. Excess food could be sold at local markets so the community would have money to provide things the community could not produce itself. Anyone who had a 9 to 5 in the nearby town would be expected to contribute a good share of that money to the community account.
All decisions would be made by democratic vote. There could possible be a system of electing someone as a community manager to overlook certain things, but only for a short term, and all decisions would have to be ratified before being implemented. Likewise the community could create and dissolve other offices as needed.
This is very rough in my head and I want to know how this idea could be improved / implemented.
The first problems I come across are from examples in history. Brook Farm is one case, everyone wanted to teach at the school, no one wanted to work the fields. Also disagreements over politic issues not related to running the farm itself.
Also, how do you ensure that the community has the right mix of people and skills. You'd need farmers, mechanics, et cetera. Who decides who can be a part of the community and who can't? Especially when the thing first starts.
The whole thing can't even get started if you don't have money.
How could you create a similar structure in an urban area?
I know that this is not revolutionary or anything, it just sounds like a nice place to live. I'd move my family to some place like this in a heartbeat if it existed.
It may sound like the failed "hippy commune" but I don't think so.
The idea behind the VSC is that each individual would make an agreement with the community as a whole (written or otherwise) to do something that contributes to the community. In exchange the community gives the person food, shelter, medical care, et cetera. This would exist in the modern economic framework so the community might have to establish some kind of legal framework for itself.
One way this could happen is if the VSC owned some farmland and then built housing one it. The old farmhouse could be a community center, and there would be a storehouse that would act as a free general store / cafeteria. A small school might be established for any children. The housing could range from small economies to duplexes, depending on the preferences and needs of the community members. Excess food could be sold at local markets so the community would have money to provide things the community could not produce itself. Anyone who had a 9 to 5 in the nearby town would be expected to contribute a good share of that money to the community account.
All decisions would be made by democratic vote. There could possible be a system of electing someone as a community manager to overlook certain things, but only for a short term, and all decisions would have to be ratified before being implemented. Likewise the community could create and dissolve other offices as needed.
This is very rough in my head and I want to know how this idea could be improved / implemented.
The first problems I come across are from examples in history. Brook Farm is one case, everyone wanted to teach at the school, no one wanted to work the fields. Also disagreements over politic issues not related to running the farm itself.
Also, how do you ensure that the community has the right mix of people and skills. You'd need farmers, mechanics, et cetera. Who decides who can be a part of the community and who can't? Especially when the thing first starts.
The whole thing can't even get started if you don't have money.
How could you create a similar structure in an urban area?
I know that this is not revolutionary or anything, it just sounds like a nice place to live. I'd move my family to some place like this in a heartbeat if it existed.