From What If to What Next 74 - What if we decolonised economics?
Apr 17, 2023
Prof. Sunny Singh, a writer and activist championing decolonisation, and Nonhlanhla Makuyana, a community organiser and artist, dive deep into the transformative potential of a decolonised economic system. They envision a vibrant 2030 filled with sustainability and cultural joy. The conversation tackles the lasting impacts of colonialism on today's economy, advocating for wealth redistribution through tax policy and highlighting grassroots alternatives like saving circles. Their insights push the boundaries of imagination, urging a revaluation of societal worth beyond profit.
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Capitalism Born From Empire
- Colonialism and modern capitalism are deeply intertwined through resource plunder and institutional design.
- Economics education often ignores how empire shaped markets, tax systems and global inequality.
Three Pillars That Sustained Capitalism
- Sunny Singh outlines three capitalist pillars: cheap resource access, captive markets, and limited competition.
- These were enforced by empire through slavery, trade control and territorial carve-ups that still shape global markets.
Necrocapitalism: Death Built Into the System
- Sunny redefines all capitalism as 'necrocapitalism' because it depends on death and disposability.
- The pandemic and disasters like Grenfell reveal capitalism's built-in tendency to devalue certain lives.
