A revolutionary system based on food and knowledge...
As the Agricultural Zones grew and the Great Migration continued, it became clear that the old economic system, based on money and corporate control, was no longer fit for purpose. The Agri-Lords, working with economists who had joined the movement, began to develop a new economic system based on food production and knowledge sharing.
The foundation of the new economy was what they called the "Food Credit System." Instead of using money, people earned credits based on their contribution to food production and distribution. These credits could be exchanged for food, tools, education, or other necessities. But unlike money, food credits couldn't be hoarded or used for speculation - they had to be used within a certain time period or they would expire.
Knowledge became another form of currency in the new economy. The Agri-Lords established what they called "Knowledge Banks" - repositories of farming techniques, sustainable practices, and other valuable information. People could earn credits by contributing to these banks or by teaching others what they knew.
The new economy was designed to be decentralized and resilient. Each Agricultural Zone maintained its own credit system, but they were all connected through a network that allowed for the exchange of goods and knowledge across regions. This prevented any single point of failure and ensured that local communities remained self-sufficient.
One of the most revolutionary aspects of the new economy was its treatment of land. Instead of being bought and sold as property, land was held in trust by the community and allocated based on need and ability to care for it. This ensured that land was used sustainably and that everyone had access to the resources they needed to survive.
The transition to the new economy wasn't easy. Many people, especially those who had been wealthy in the old system, resisted the change. They tried to maintain their power by hoarding resources or by attempting to control the new credit system. But the Agri-Lords had anticipated this and had built safeguards into the system.
One of these safeguards was the "Sustainability Index" - a measure of how well a person or community was living in harmony with the land. Those with high sustainability indices earned more credits and had greater access to resources. This encouraged people to adopt sustainable practices and to share their knowledge with others.
As the new economy took hold, something remarkable began to happen. People who had been struggling to survive in the old system found new purpose and dignity in their work. Communities became more cohesive as people worked together to produce food and share knowledge. The gap between rich and poor began to narrow as everyone had access to the basic necessities of life.
The new economy also had unexpected benefits. Without the pressure to constantly increase profits, people had more time to spend with their families and communities. Art and culture flourished as people were free to pursue their passions without worrying about making money. Education became more practical and relevant as it focused on skills that were actually needed in the new world.
By the end of the year, the new economy was firmly established in the Agricultural Zones and was beginning to spread to the remaining urban areas. The old corporate system was collapsing, unable to compete with a system that valued sustainability and community over profit and growth.
The New Economy wasn't perfect - there were still challenges and conflicts to resolve. But it represented a fundamental shift in how humanity organized itself. It showed that another way was possible, a way that valued life and knowledge over money and power. And as the world continued to change, the new economy would prove to be the foundation upon which a better future could be built.