Changing the 10:90 World We Live In
By: Peter Mulraney
Tags: Rethinking, Politics, Social Change, Life, Economics

Changing the 10:90 World We Live In

Living in interdependent worlds with opposing priorities

Photo by Andreas Klassen on Unsplash

We live in a world defined by the interplay of capitalism and consumption. No matter how you look at that interplay, though, it’s not happening on a level playing field.

The game is rigged in the interest of the capitalists — the 10 percent of the population that controls the wealth generating means of production and most other levers of power.

However, we’re all consumers. Even the members of the 10 percent. The problem is most of us making up the 90 percent are only consumers. We own nothing of economic or wealth generating value, apart from our labour — and we need to hire ourselves out in exchange for money in order to survive as consumers.

We can summarise the interplay between our worlds like this. They control. We consume. They control the means of production. We need to make a living. They control the politicians. We vote. They control the media. We want to be informed.

The 10 percent only get away with what they’re doing because we let them.

Most of us don’t even understand the basic rules of the game, which, I suspect, is the desired outcome. After all, one of the hallmarks of the wealthy 10 percent is they know how to hold onto their wealth and influence.

Let’s get one thing clear, though. Despite our shortcomings, the 10 percent depend on the rest of us. We’re the people they treat as resources when it comes to making things and providing services, and we’re the people that buy the goods and services they provide.

Trouble is, though, the interplay is not a fair exchange, which is why we’ve seen the rise of billionaires during a period of prolonged wage stagnation. The benefits of the last twenty years or so of increased productivity are clearly flowing one way — and, its not to us.

Clearly, the current arrangements are not a level playing field — it’s tilted in favour of the 10 percent. Obviously, if things are to change, the impetus is not going to come from 10 percent. It’s going to have to come from us.

Photo by Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash

No one person has power on their own. Not even an absolute monarch or authoritarian dictator. Power is a group thing. No despot can put down a revolution if the security forces stay in their barracks or side with the people. No business survives if we stop buying its goods and services.

We’re the ones with the real power — if only we’d realize it and act collectively.

Any one of us can join in the capitalist game. All you need is an understanding of the mechanisms of wealth creation and the self-discipline to not spend all the money you earn on consumption.

But, if we’re going to tackle the inequalities built into our economic and political systems, it’s going to take more than individual conversions to capitalism. What’s needed is a revolution, not so much in the streets, though I suspect there will be a role for that, but in the way we’re prepared to act to ensure a fair go for all.

What will it look like? I don’t know for sure, but I suspect it will require the creation of new political parties and a reinvigorated labour movement. It will require people demanding justice for all and not just for the privileged few. And, it’s going to require a willingness for individuals to speak truth to power and demand political accountability.

The one thing I know for sure is, it’s going to require political activism by a lot more of us. The 10 percent only get away with what they’re doing because we let them. We don’t ask questions. We believe what the media’s talking heads tell us. We tolerate politicians that lie and bosses that exploit us.

The only way to change the dynamics of the game where you are is to get involved. What you do is up to you — but don’t expect things to change if you don’t do anything different.