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Mutualist Blog: Free Market Anti-Capitalism

To dissolve, submerge, and cause to disappear the political or governmental system in the economic system by reducing, simplifying, decentralizing and suppressing, one after another, all the wheels of this great machine, which is called the Government or the State. --Proudhon, General Idea of the Revolution

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Location: Northwest Arkansas, United States

Friday, January 06, 2006

Energy Prices and Economic Decentralization

Via Larry Gambone at Porcupine Blog. Rob Hopkins, in "Ireland: Energy Scenarios and Beyond," links to a study by Richard Douthwaite and Phoebe Bright: "Energy Scenarios Ireland."

Although one of the four alternative scenarios is called "Localisation," that's somewhat misleading. All four scenarios result in a radically decentralized economy; the only difference is in how hard or soft the landing is. Here are some details from the Localisation scenario:

  • Businesses which adapt to doing business with local suppliers and local customers survive.
  • Those with the knowledge and skills to repair machinery are in particular demand.
  • Everyone with a patch of land starts growing food for personal use and to barter for other services.
  • Urban residents invade and squat well located agricultural land.
  • Local currencies develop.
  • Multinationals decentralise to try and adapt to changing supply and demand....
  • Most food is grown at home or supplied from local producers.
  • People develop micro-businesses to supply goods or services that can be used to trade for essential needs.

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