Рецензия на роман «The Ramsmile»

Feasibility of the Approach

The value of the author’s approach lies in the fact that he asks the right questions: Whom does the economy serve? How can it be made more just? In what direction can alternative economic thinking evolve?

The book proposes an alternative economic model based on the rejection of interest-bearing credit, debt cancellation, a redefinition of ownership, and a complete overhaul of the monetary system. The author aims to create conditions where the economy serves people — not the other way around. Wealth is viewed not as the accumulation of money, but as access to resources, and the goal is a maximally fair distribution.

The proposed path is a utopian project with a humanistic core. It addresses real problems in today’s economy — inequality, debt burden, and credit dependence — but the feasibility of implementing the author’s ideas on a global scale raises significant concerns:

• The difficulty of transitioning from the existing financial system.
• The lack of a universal mechanism for resource allocation without markets or credit.
• Political and social risks of debt cancellation and the redefinition of property rights.

Nevertheless, the work is valuable precisely because the author asks: Whom does the economy serve? — and seeks new paths toward fairness and dignity.

1. Critique of Debt-Driven Economy and Interest Slavery

Author’s proposal: Eliminate interest as a tool of enslavement and endless debt expansion.

Signs of progress:

• Islamic banking prohibits interest (riba) and uses participatory models (murabaha, mudarabah).
• U.S. states like California discuss jubilee-style student debt forgiveness.
• In countries harmed by IMF lending (e.g., Argentina), there is growing demand for debt sovereignty.

️ Not a full implementation of the author’s vision, but a clear shift toward reducing debt dependence.

2. Rethinking Ownership

Author’s proposal: Replace ownership with access to resources.

Emerging trends:

• Sharing economy: Airbnb, Uber, carsharing, co-living.
• Open-source movements in tech and science: access over exclusive rights.
• Cooperative land and business governance: seen in Latin America, India, Scandinavia.

️ Not the end of ownership, but a shift toward shared access and responsibility.

3. Human-Centered Economy over Profit-Centered

Author’s proposal: Rebuild the system with the human being — not the market — at the center.

Current developments:

• Wellbeing Economy: adopted in Scotland, New Zealand, Iceland — GDP replaced by wellbeing indicators.
• Donut Economics (Kate Raworth): balancing human needs and planetary boundaries — applied in the Netherlands and parts of Europe.
• Growth of ethical and green banks focused on sustainability.

️ No longer theory — these models are being implemented in governance.

4. Re-Evaluating the Role of Money

Author’s proposal: Money should be a tool, not the ultimate goal — we can invent new forms.

Ongoing developments:

• Rise of alternative currencies: crypto, local currencies (e.g., Bristol Pound, BerkShares).
• Experiments with non-monetary systems: Time Banking, LETS networks.

️ They haven’t replaced national currencies, but they are active and growing locally.

Conclusion

The author walks a fine line between utopia and visionary realism. Many of his ideas are being partially and locally implemented. While the world is not ready for a total systemic shift, signs of progress are visible:

• Declining primacy of profit.
• New forms of cooperation and ownership.
• A global drift toward justice and sustainability.

And most importantly — he dares to ask a difficult, honest question: Whom does the economy serve? That, in itself, is a sign of the future.