Star Trek Economics

[Matt Pniewski]

I don't have a first post, but I would enjoy discussing the implications of the Post-Scarcity economy in the Star Trek Universe.  

[xXSuperWhateverXx]

Well, I figured there would be lots of money to go around since the future has new inventions and things.
I'd still imagine that the highest paid people are in the medical field.
Artists... Well, not sure. :/  

[Lumanny the Space Jew]

Picard has said many, many times that there is no money in the future. Yet a capitalist sort of society is referenced countless times throuout Star Trek series.
It is one of the biggest repetivie contradicitions in the Star Trek Universe.  

[Matt Pniewski]

Lumanny the Space Jew

Picard has said many, many times that there is no money in the future. Yet a capitalist sort of society is referenced countless times throuout Star Trek series.
It is one of the biggest repetivie contradicitions in the Star Trek Universe.

The Federation uses Credits, which are both a bartering tool between other Governments, or used for products that are not easily replicated or produced. They have very little to no value, as most things can be made.

Imagine a Capitalist society. Now, imagine, the supply is so great everyone can have almost everything. It's a Post Scarcity economy. People have moved away from money because they don't need it. Which is why most societies in Star Trek don't accept Credits, they don't amount to much, and can only be used in exchanged for things the Federation can provide.

Let's say I want to buy a book. Buy? No, I can just download it to a PADD. A real book? I'm sure I can get an actual copy in print. A first edition of a book written in the late 1800s? I'm going to need credits.  

[platsdevil]

Matt Pniewski

Lumanny the Space Jew

Picard has said many, many times that there is no money in the future. Yet a capitalist sort of society is referenced countless times throuout Star Trek series.
It is one of the biggest repetivie contradicitions in the Star Trek Universe.

The Federation uses Credits, which are both a bartering tool between other Governments, or used for products that are not easily replicated or produced. They have very little to no value, as most things can be made.

Imagine a Capitalist society. Now, imagine, the supply is so great everyone can have almost everything. It's a Post Scarcity economy. People have moved away from money because they don't need it. Which is why most societies in Star Trek don't accept Credits, they don't amount to much, and can only be used in exchanged for things the Federation can provide.

Let's say I want to buy a book. Buy? No, I can just download it to a PADD. A real book? I'm sure I can get an actual copy in print. A first edition of a book written in the late 1800s? I'm going to need credits.

At the same time however, try going up to Quark or any Ferengi and saying you want to use credits to get that book. He'd probably just laugh you out the door. It's latinum or nothing, and if you really need something in a pinch, then Quark is the person to go to. So they really do need money. Don't they?

The Federation is a government of "United" planets, but they still have the planets that would never give up the thought of material gold or latinum. So they still need that money to barter or trade.