Why don't we make everything free?

Money is the root of so many problems. Some people have much more of it than others. That inequality can lead to arguments, stress and envy. People can become so desperate for money that they steal or commit crimes.

So, why don’t we just abolish money? Why don’t we make everything free?

Private jet

It’s a great idea on paper, but banning money altogether would lead to even more problems. If everything were free, everyone would want the very best things. The biggest house, the most beautiful art, the latest computer... Or perhaps even a private jet or helicopter – because why not?

Shops might be emptied before everyone has the chance to grab something for themselves. Some people will have lots of stuff, others will have nothing at all. Everything would be even less evenly distributed than it is now.

Why bother working?

If everything were free, people would no longer have any reason to be sparing. Everything would run out very quickly,so we’d have to make new things. But why would we? There’s no point working if the money you earn is worth nothing.

If everything were free, there’d soon be even more arguments, stress and envy. Money doesn’t make you happy, but we should be happy that money exists.

Answered by Yannick Fritschy