The Redundancy of Profit

Profit is the head of the capitalist snake, the poison that leeches into the very heart of industry. More than just a method of trade, profit is a corruptive mindset that fosters selfishness, disunity, and the exploitation of both people and resources. In a system where success is defined by the relentless pursuit of profit, the common good becomes secondary, and it's only inevitable for any great society to be hopelessly fractured by inequality and environmental degradation, driven groundward by the intergenerational results of elbowing our way into monopoly. The Ten-Tier System challenges this paradigm, redefining value not by the accumulation of wealth but by the collective well-being of society. Here, success is measured by what a business gives back to the world, fostering cooperation over competition and unity over division.

In the envisioned society where profit becomes a redundant concept, the traditional metrics of economic success, driven by competition and monetary gain, are fundamentally restructured. This paradigm shift represents a radical departure from contemporary capitalist frameworks, proposing a system where industry is built on cooperation rather than competition. In such a society, the value of a business’s success is no longer measured by its ability to generate profit but by its contribution to the wellbeing as well as the upkeep of society. This includes the quality of its products and services, utility for customers, and the positive impact it has on the environment and community.

In this cooperative society, the ownership of businesses does not reside with individuals or shareholders seeking to maximise their financial returns. Instead, businesses are collective entities where the concept of ownership is replaced by stewardship. Every employee is a steward of the business, contributing to its success in a way that transcends mere financial compensation. The notion of profit as a primary driver of business decisions is obsolete; what matters is the holistic value that the business provides to society.

For example, a business that produces food would be evaluated not by the profit margin on its products but by the nutritional value, accessibility, and environmental impact of its offerings. A company in the healthcare sector would be measured by the effectiveness and accessibility of its treatments, the wellbeing of its patients, and its contribution to public health, rather than by the profitability of its services.

Extending beyond financial balance sheets, metrics of a successful operation would be partly defined by customer satisfaction and alignment with dictated ethics and responsibilities, such as social and environmental goals. While the business’s conceptual structure and unique personality could originate from the inspiration of an individual, no business would be owned by any one individual or group. Rather, all of society would collectively become shareholders, with a sharp increase in percentage for those who have a close tie to the operation, such as being an employee, director, a repeat customer, or perhaps in some cases living within the same vicinity.

In this system, employees are rewarded not with traditional salaries but with 'points' that reflect their contributions to the business's success. These points account for various factors, and could derive from such metrics and variables as the employee's role, the quality of their work, their collaboration with others, and the overall impact of their contributions. These points contribute to an individual’s overall Contribution Score, which determines their multifaceted income.

By eliminating the pursuit of profit as the central goal, this cooperative society addresses many of the inherent issues in capitalist systems, such as corruption, exploitation, environmental degradation, and the exponentialisation of inequality. SafefuBusinesses are incentivised to operate in ways that are socially and environmentally responsible because their success depends on their ability to contribute to the common good, rather than to maximise financial returns for a select few. This system promotes a more equitable distribution of resources, as businesses are not driven by the need to generate excess profit but by the goal of meeting the needs of society in the most effective and sustainable way.

In a system where business success is measured by contributions to societal well-being rather than profit, safeguards against corruption are inherently stronger. Under this kind of socially monitored structure, the metrics of responsibility and adherence to ethics become publicly accessible. Transparency and accountability become foundational, as all actions and decisions within a business are scrutinised for their impact on the collective good rather than personal gain. The absence of private ownership and the distribution of 'points' based on contribution create a structure where no single individual has unchecked power or the ability to manipulate outcomes for personal benefit. Collaborative decision-making and the shared responsibility for business success further reduce the opportunities for corrupt practices to take root. Since rewards are tied to the overall well-being of the community, there is a powerful incentive for all participants to act in the best interest of society, making corruption not only difficult to achieve but also socially unacceptable. Regular evaluations and open channels for feedback ensure that any attempts at corruption are swiftly identified and addressed, fostering a culture of integrity and mutual trust.

Furthermore, this cooperative model fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual support. Without the pressure to outcompete others for profit, businesses and individuals are encouraged to share knowledge, resources, and expertise to achieve common goals. This leads to innovations that benefit society as a whole, rather than serving the interests of a few. The emphasis on cooperation also reduces the stress and alienation often associated with competitive work environments, contributing to the overall well-being of employees and society at large.

In conclusion, the redundancy of profit in a cooperative society represents a profound transformation in how we conceive of economic success and the role of businesses in society. By prioritising cooperation, social responsibility, and holistic value, this system offers a vision of a more equitable, sustainable, and fulfilling way of organizing industry and work. It challenges the dominant capitalist paradigm and opens the door to a future where the success of a business is truly measured by its ability to enhance the well-being of people and the planet.