Non-market economics

Non-market economics is the study of the production, trade, and distribution of goods and services via mechanisms other than the market, in other words using systems other than the Price system. Non-market economies do not operate through the exchange of money. Barter is usually considered a type of a commodity-economy, so it is generally not considered a non-market economy. This type of exchange is also called reciprocity. This includes unilateral giving such as gifts and bilateral giving, meaning a person gives a gift expecting to be repaid at some unspecified time.

The study of non-market economics is typically a part of economic anthropology. Among the founders of the discipline are Karl Bücher and Karl Polanyi.

One possible non market economic system proposed is based on thermodynamics and energy. [Cutler J. Cleveland, [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Biophysical_economics "Biophysical economics"] , "Encyclopedia of Earth", Last updated: September 14, 2006.]
Technocracy Incorporated proposes a non market economic system called Energy Accounting [http://telstar.ote.cmu.edu/environ/m3/s3/05account.shtml Environmental Decision making, Science and Technology] which uses a post scarcity type of economy as its basis. [ [http://www.technocracy.org/Archives/The%20Energy%20Certificate-r.htm The Energy Certificate] essay by Fezer. An article on energy accounting as proposed by Technocracy Inc. Article on alternative system to money 'energy accounting'] The Technate design as projected, would include such post scarcity aspects as free housing (urbanates), transportation, recreation, and education. In other words free everything, including all consumer products, as a right of citizenship. [ [http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfx7rfr2_29n46jr9 Ivie, Wilton "A Place to Live: 1955 Technocracy Digest] ]

ee also

*Gift economy
*Reciprocity (cultural anthropology)
*Thermoeconomics

References