Gabital 35: Social ownership of the means of production
Social ownership (of the means of production) is the antipode to private ownership(#31) - it's when all members of a society own all the means of production of said society. In our case, the "society" in question is the collective working the workshop.
Silver Scroll (François Hoffmann)
Only one way to find out!
Jan 19 2025 01:04
Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo)
The moving process is taking forever, so I wrote the local commublism group in my current town and they have a meeting on Tuesday. I am not necessarily prepare to understand German, but we will see how it will go. This aspect won't be different in the new city.
Jan 19 2025 14:26
GabitalReplying to Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo)
Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo), But even Gabi says "comrade"! xD
Wait, like an actual communism group? Political or more socially-inclined?
Jan 19 2025 15:34
Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo)Replying to Gabital
Gabital, I cannot say what the local group will be like yet, but it is a part of this organization https://www.sdaj.org/international-information/
Jan 19 2025 15:39
Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo)
But about the comic, I have also been thinking about something similar, if I put some effort into a project (for example, establishing a commune/ecovillage) and then new people want to join.
Problem: I have invested many hours already and they have not. I would be giving them access to my previous labor for free. Late joiners get more benefits without so much work.
Solution: track hours spent. When a new person wants to join, determine how many "extra" hours they should have to do in order to become a full member.
If I started a project alone, and did 50 hours, they could do 25 hours extra of tasks that personally benefiting me, for example cleaning my house. Then it is like they bought half of my hours. So then we become 25-25, equals. Like this, the project doesn't grow. Just "ownership" of the hours invested changes.
Or they could do 50 hours for project, so they don't buy any from me, the total amount of labor in the project increases. 50-50 hours.
Challenges: trust, tracking
Jan 19 2025 14:34 (changed)
Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo)Replying to Gabital
Gabital, Interesting point, thanks for the feedback.
I haven't looked ahead at the Russian version, but I would imagine they will solve it similarly, if at all.
Gabi: "I calculated how long it took us to do everything -- if we paid ourselves 5 coins per day, that's only 500 coins -- so they can buy-in at 500 coins!"
OtherLadyGoblin: "I want at least double, they can become members if they pay 1,000 coins"
Gabi: looks into imaginary camera, "Hmm..."
Jan 19 2025 15:35 
1
Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo)Replying to Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo)
In my imagination, if a group were established, it must benefit its members, otherwise no one would fight to maintain and expand it. The incentives must be structured in a good way.
Jan 19 2025 15:43
Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo)
This comic (and the series in general) provide value to me, as it acts as a semi-concrete example to think about. I have already been thinking about this topic previously, purely in my own mind, for a group that doesn't exist.
It is a good simplification, because also, when I try to think about everything more details come up, which is overwhelming.
The world is built, the tax system is defined, so if I wanted to think about what I would do in this situation, some rules are already defined. Edit: the donation amount is supposed to be 69 cents not 68 cents. ;)
Jan 19 2025 15:52 (changed)
Gabital
Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo), Nice xD I personally very much like the KYFHO system of Tolive as a social construct base, written by F. Paul Wilson(his LaNague Federation book series is a great read. Try "Healer" first if you're interested - it's a more lighthearted standalone shorter novel in the same setting. It just focuses on adventure instead of economic upheaval of LaNague. If you like it - you'll probably like his other works)
Jan 19 2025 16:03
Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo)
Its been another month dear Translator. The emperor tells me he is renewed.
Jan 27 2025 01:28
Gabital
Ralph S. (Assistant to the Emperor of Borgo), Hooray! There's(finally) the cooperative issue coming out tonight, too xD Also on the "finally" note: short vacation in a week, can't wait to finally laze around a bit><
Jan 27 2025 01:46