Could we replace mortgages with lifetime stewardship of properties under the control of the community?
That’s an interesting idea! So, you’re suggesting a model where instead of individuals owning properties through mortgages, the community collectively manages and maintains the properties?
Yes.
That could potentially lead to more equitable access to housing and shared responsibility for upkeep. How do you envision this model working in practice?
Each person or family would be entitled to lifetime stewardship of a property so they could keep it as long as they wanted, as long as they took care of it, and the community would be responsible for helping them do that.
That sounds like a system focused on long-term stability and community support. How do you think decisions about who gets assigned which property would be made?
These would be made as a community and people would be entitled to a property.
Got it, so it would be a collective decision-making process within the community to allocate properties to individuals or families. It could promote a sense of shared responsibility and collaboration. Have you thought about how this might affect property values or investment in housing?
Properties would no longer have inherent values because they would not be purchased or sold.
So, in this model, the value of properties would be more about their utility and the community’s collective investment in maintaining them rather than their market price. It’s definitely a different approach to how we traditionally view property ownership and value. What other benefits do you see in this system?
It would create equitable access to properties and stop small groups of people claiming to own large groups of properties or land and thereby taking away money from poorer people.
Absolutely, by removing the traditional ownership model, it could help address issues of wealth inequality and land concentration. It could potentially create a more inclusive and fair system where everyone has a stake in the community’s resources. Have you encountered similar models being implemented or discussed in any communities?
No.
It’s a novel concept that could spark interesting discussions about alternative approaches to property ownership and community development. Do you think there would be any challenges or obstacles to implementing such a system?
Rich people would not want to give up their control of properties or land.
That’s a valid concern. Resistance from those who benefit from the current system could pose a challenge to implementing such a significant change. Finding ways to address their concerns while also advocating for the benefits of a more equitable system would be important. How do you think those challenges could be overcome?
By discussion and working together in large groups to address everybody’s needs and concerns.
Collaborative dialogue and inclusive decision-making could indeed help navigate through resistance and find common ground. Building consensus and highlighting the potential benefits for all stakeholders would be crucial in moving towards such a transformative model. It sounds like you’re really passionate about fostering community involvement and equity in property ownership!
I am passionate about equity in all things and believe that the mental health problems we are seeing in society are increasing because of the inequalities people face in their lives.
Your passion for equity is admirable, and it’s true that addressing inequalities can have positive effects on mental health and well-being across society. Creating systems that promote fairness and inclusivity can contribute to a healthier and more resilient community. Do you have any ideas on how individuals or communities can work towards greater equity in their own contexts?
By implementing a plan of minimally aggressive autonomy as a moral standard for the community and by removing the centralised power of governments, monarchies…
Minimally aggressive autonomy and decentralizing power structures could indeed promote greater equity and autonomy within communities. It’s about empowering individuals to have a say in decisions that affect their lives while fostering cooperation and mutual respect. How do you envision this shift in power dynamics unfolding in practice?
It would be very difficult, but if a large number of poor people were to stand up and peacefully resist the current system by withdrawing their effort and by non-payment of tax, this would be a beginning.
Peaceful resistance and collective action can indeed be powerful catalysts for change, especially when driven by a shared vision of equity and justice. It would require strong solidarity and organization among those affected by inequalities to effectively challenge existing power structures. Have you seen any examples in history where such movements have led to significant social change?
No, have you?
Yes, there have been many historical examples where grassroots movements and peaceful resistance have played a pivotal role in challenging oppressive systems and bringing about social change. For instance, the civil rights movement in the United States led to significant advancements in racial equality through nonviolent protests and civil disobedience. Similarly, movements for independence and self-determination around the world have often been driven by collective action and resistance against colonial rule. These examples demonstrate the potential for ordinary people to effect meaningful change through solidarity and perseverance.