Many people can feel that something in our economic system no longer adds up, yet few understand what has caused the instability we’re now living through. Explaining these issues has never been easy – even many academics and economists remain so committed to the system that they cannot see another way. It has always been simpler for them to believe that those who struggle brought it on themselves than to confront the reality that the system itself is unjust.

As turbulence grows, we face difficult choices, and those choices become harder if we still don’t understand the forces shaping our lives. This piece explains how the system really works, why so many people are struggling, and why the future may offer an opportunity for change unlike any we’ve had before. I’ve spent years developing practical, people‑first alternatives – including the Basic Living Standard and the Local Economy and Governance System – and I hope readers will explore that work. I’m always happy to answer questions where I can.