Economics of the 24th Century

With Robots and AI replacing many jobs here in our present reality, I want to take a look at a possible future that Science Fiction has mapped out.

A Guide To A Possible Future…

In the Star Trek universe, the 24th century is characterized by a post-scarcity economy in which material resources are abundant and basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter are provided for all citizens. This economy is made possible by advances in technology such as replicators, which can create virtually any object or material from raw energy, and advanced energy sources like antimatter reactors, which provide virtually unlimited power.

One of the most significant features of the Star Trek economy is the absence of money. In this economy, goods and services are provided based on need rather than the ability to pay. Citizens are free to pursue their interests and passions without being burdened by the need to earn a living wage. This system is made possible by the abundance of resources and the elimination of scarcity, which makes it possible for everyone to have access to the basic necessities of life.

We work to better ourselves and the rest of humanity.

Jean-Luc Picard

The elimination of money also means that jobs are no longer tied to income. Instead, people pursue careers based on their interests and passions, and are motivated by the desire to contribute to society and make a difference in the world. This creates a society where people are driven by a sense of purpose rather than the need to earn a living wage.

Another key aspect of the Star Trek economy is the emphasis on cooperation and collaboration. Rather than being driven by competition and individualism, citizens work together to achieve common goals and improve the quality of life for all. This emphasis on cooperation is reflected in the structure of Starfleet, where officers work together to explore new worlds and make new discoveries.

To recap, the economics of the 24th century in Star Trek is characterized by a post-scarcity economy in which material resources are abundant and basic needs are provided for all citizens. This system is made possible by advances in technology and the elimination of money, which allows people to pursue their interests and passions without being burdened by the need to earn a living wage. The emphasis on cooperation and collaboration creates a society where people are motivated by a sense of purpose rather than the pursuit of wealth and power.

That sounds pretty nice. We are getting closer to our dream of unlimited energy, the next step is the supply of resources. The planet only has so much of any one element or alloy available so the next step would be to venture out to other sources. That’s just as big of a hurdle, but I am confident that humanity can make it, even with those regressive types who are dragging their heels every step of the way.

Oh, and replicators would be pretty nice too ㋛