No such thing as a free lunch?

They say it will never work. They argue that, human nature being what it is. the idea of producing what is needed and taking from the common stock of what is produced, without buying and selling anything, is pie-in-the-sky.

Yet even today, with the profit system makes us wary of giving anything away or having it stolen from us, people are willing to help others at some cost to themselves if they see there is genuine need.

Becky Morris reports (Daily Mail, 4 June) about a writer called Peter, and his dog. who set off on a 500-mile walk from Plymouth to Edinburgh without a penny. Morris describes the kindness shown to Peter as “truly extraordinary”—a description typical of those who have a poor view of the “human nature” imposed on us by capitalist values.

Peter’s first night was his worst. He arrived at a church as the congregation was leaving and several people politely refused his request for help. Apparently there was a visiting choir in the village and almost everyone had a guest staying. But eventually someone did offer Peter a spare room and breakfast. Not only that, but he was also offer £10 “for emergencies”, which he accepted but later posted back unspent.

He was not very well-equipped for long-distance walking. When he came across an experienced walker he not only had accommodation for the night, a meal, his clothing washed and dried, but was also given some Michelin maps to replace his single sheet of the whole of the British Isles.

Peter continued his journey with sore feet but usually met with kindness and assistance. It was no doubt in his favour that he was willing to do a bit of work if needed, but there was rarely any suggestion that he had to offer anything in return for what he received.

Sometimes Peter was not trusted. One farmer whose help he requested said that there had recently been a break-in at his neighbours house. So Peter had to sleep in the barn, though he still had his food and drink.

This is just one account of the many ways in which people are keen to help each other without expecting anything in return.This despite a capitalist environment which seems to say at every turn “there is no such thing as a free lunch”.

To imagine what life will be like in a socialist world we have to subtract all the institutions and the behaviour and the ideas that go to maintain the profit system. Then we have to imagine the huge expansion of goodwill towards others, willingness to help and be helped, opportunities to be creative and not destructive, that a world of common property, democratic control, production solely to meet need, and free access will offer.

SRP