New Community

The current economic (and political) global crisis has been dominating the headlines the past few weeks. Some saw this coming years ago, and many have felt the coming change. This is no surprise to us. Instead of throwing more "money" in the form of government bailouts, I am arguing for what I call "new community." I don't know if anyone has ever coined this phrase, but parts of this idea are definitely out there on the web. The idea comes from a renewed interest in people, relationships, community as opposed to an emphasis on commercialism, materialism, money and debt. Capitalism, as we are starting to see, is a flawed system. I am not arguing for a socialist economy, but rather a lifestyle and cultural shift where we focus on community rather than commercialism.
A global shift toward "new community" is a grassroots idea...but there are some things our current system can do to begin this shift. First of all, I think the Federal government should not simply pay trillions of dollars to bail out corporations. The corporations in danger are based on a flawed system of debt and more debt. If the government wants to get out of this mess, build out rather than bail out is what I suggest. As Richard Register argues, this nation got out of a Great Depression by doing two things...building things (dams, roads, weapons) and going to war. War has been the constant since the 1930's. Why not try something new? Build up sustainable communities with the 700 billion, and enrich the lives of what Palin likes to call "Joe Six-Pack," while at the same time enriching the culture and lifestyle of our communities. Suburbia is a dying form, unsustainable, and really the cause of many of our economic and cultural problems. Why not build up new urbanist communities that encourage eco-friendliness, social relationships, art and beauty?
The New Community of the future is something that must have support at the individual level. We live beyond our means acquiring things we don't need paying with money we don't have to impress people we don't know or like! How silly! Why not put the focus on a sustainable, happy, simple lifestyle that emphasizes people over things, relationships over money, and friendship over business.
I know, I know...sounds awfully hippie and new-age. It may even sound like I'm advocating communism or socialism. Let me be clear: Communism, like capitalism, enriched the oligarchy that ruled over the masses. Both are unsustainable. A new community-based social economy may be the answer on a micro-level. Gift-based and relationship-based transactions for goods and services are not a bad thing! Consider this...If i babysit for a friend, but do not get paid, our current system says that our economy has not grown. I must charge for this service, and enrich myself in order for this to help. Cooking for a friend doesn't help the economy but paying for a restaurant to feed me does! This all seems silly when you start to break it down.
Here's some highlights of my idea for New Community:
Medium and High-density urban living
Ecological sustainability
Emphasis on individual health and wholeness
De-emphasis on material wealth
Renewed interest in Arts and Beauty
Community cultural events that are locally based and free
Self-organizing communities that take care of their citizens
End of our debt-lifestyle
Focus on building our communities from within

Got any ideas for New Community? Email me at adamdcrowley@gmail.com!