The Third Option: Eradicating Poverty and Saving Capitalism without Raising Taxes

The Third Option makes a case that first, poverty can be eradicated, then asserts that unless poverty is eradicated in any given society, a real barrier to the total wealth of that society exists under the terms of the 20th century economic system. To allow the unfettered growth of wealth, essential to the equal opportunity for all people in the society, poverty as this book defines it, must be eradicated. It must be eradicated not merely in the moment but as potential for anyone and everyone in the society. This is possible first because the production system of the 21st century is capable of filling demand but the ways and means of the 20th century economic system, in practice and theory, cannot allow demand to be filled without endangering the financial system upon which it depends for its function. Poverty is unfilled demand derived from life itself, from survival. Ending poverty is fully filling the demand created by human life. The theory and practice of 20th century economics cannot fill demand, and does not. Poverty persists even though the capability and capacity to fill demand is fully possible technically and practically. This book discusses the various aspects of why poverty remains part of human civilization under the auspices of 20th century economic theory even as it persists in 21st century societies.
The Third Option present the case for and the case against Capitalism at their most basic. Then it exposes the flaws in Capitalism that endanger it and the one profound flaw, that if not fixed, will corrupt the Capitalist ideal and destroy the benefits it provides beyond production and finance. Capitalism is in danger and that threat has not been identified; The Third Option identifies it in simple terms and then asserts the for the freedom and equality of all people to be even possible in human civilization, Capitalism must persist but its flaws must be fixed. And they can be. These changes, however, are profound, deep and while they are easy to express, the implications in practice may well affect every aspect of human civilization. Freedom and equality depend on fixing them.
In addition, The Third Option analyzes the system that is 20th century economics. It identifies three fundamental demands of the financial system and the flaws that result in its instability and profound inequality. It assesses the causes of these flaws.
The conclusion is not an appeal for more and different government policy. The Third Option Proposal fixes the flaws and problems that are identified, presented in three parts that challenges convention and discards the two more usual approaches to ending poverty, namely tinkering with present government policy or changing human nature. The Third Option asserts poverty can end, that it currently results from an economic and financial flaw in the theory and the system itself canand must be changed. This book argues that civilization without poverty is possible and lays out the changes that are required. These changes are an addition to the social contract, add another, new version of ownership and alter how competition exists in the economic system. With these changes, poverty can end and Capitalism will be saved, without raising taxes, which by the way dismisses reliance on (and thus blame of) governmental action. The Third Option changes economic philosophy, it is not a political ideal.
The usual solutions to poverty tend to go like this old joke. A guy goes to see the doctor and says, "Doc, it hurts when I raise my arm like this." The doctor responds, "Don't do that. That will be $50." Saying we should not make the mistakes that cause the problems is no solution, it is a noise signifying nothing. The Third Option offers a solution based on a simple view of human exceptionalism and the hope for each individual that suggests. This book can change the world, whether it does or not is the pending drama. Thank you for your attention.

Dettagli