Abundance: The Journal of Post-Scarcity Studies
This is an absolutely important initiative, forwarded by Joseph Jackson. I would consider the launch of this journal, which represents a necessary break with the scarcity-paradigm of the current economics profession, to be a civilisational and scientific milestone.
More details, including a list of possible members and a plan for special topics for the first three years, have been published here.
Joseph Jackson:
“My friends, it is time to establish Abundance as a field of study. I had been thinking along these lines for quite some time before the 2008 collapse and as it has unfolded, I’ve monitored a surge of activity on the web, including this call to action by Roberto Verzola.
The idea of “post-scarcity,” “resource-based,” or “thermoeconomics,” has been around since at least the 1960s (with some references in the 1920s). Additionally, heterodox economics such as the views of Henry George, GK Chesterton, or the anarchist/mutualist/decentralist tradition ( Proudhon, Kropotkin, Benjamin Tucker, Schumacher, Illich) has an even longer history and is very relevant to the challenges facing us in the early 21st century. The most significant development of recent times has been the rise of Free and Open Source Software, followed by infant attempts to extend this model into other realms beyond IT. Michel Bauwens, the most prolific observer of these trends, has dubbed the phenomenon P2P, and argues convincingly that P2P organization constitutes the next phase of human evolution.
Our task is dauntingly difficult, as most of humanity has slumbered in a scarcity stupor for so long they cannot be easily awakened. The goal is ambitious: From 2009-2010 to lay out the central concepts and theoretical foundations of Abundance Studies.
Establishing a journal is a way to focus our intellectual efforts, build a “brand” and create a home for this new field. So many of you are already writing on this topic, wouldn’t it be nice to have to have an outlet for your “finished” product? To explain, this will not be a typical journal, which imposes artificial scarcity through editorial decisions. If you want to be published—you will get published (eventually).
The journal is intended to function in conjunction with a community site/portal/carnival blog/clearinghouse for Post Scarcity Theory.
There will be 3 components; a wiki founded by Charles Collis in 2005 and which he has graciously volunteered. 2) the Community Site (details to be decided) 3) The actual journal.
During the first year, the main site is intended to host discussion around the specific topics covered in the forthcoming issue of the journal. We will announce the topic along with a deadline for submission. As a participant, you will hone your ideas with your peers and when you feel you have a complete article (8-30 pages); submit it before the deadline and look forward to it being published in the issue. If you don’t finish in time (maybe you procrastinate like me)—it is no big deal. The journal functions mainly as a pacing device. You can always submit later for another issue (storage space is basically infinite)!
The idea is that we create an “event” for ourselves; boosting motivation by giving ourselves something to look forward to. It also keeps us moving toward the goal of laying out at least a first draft overview of the Post-Scarcity field during this first year.
There will be less structure imposed after the year is up, and ideally, the journal and site will acquire momentum and issues can proceed on perhaps a quarterly basis.”