Systems: Economy

The economy is embedded within the society which is embedded in a finite Earth. The primary purpose of the economy is an exchange of value. The "exchange of value" within this living system is its autopoietic component and can take many forms depending upon the systems exchanging the value.

The system properties of the Economy are described in the System properties section. The typical System Property used today is the measure of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The doughnut is a better way to measure the Economy and its effect on the planet. The Economy also creates system capabilities through the interaction of the parts.

The Economy is a system with a number of system elements and their interaction. At the core of this economic activity is a human activity ecosystem. This positions this economic activity within an ecosystem (The Earth), Social Systems (Society) and Human Activity. The following diagram identifies the three key elements of this human activity ecosystem:

This human activity ecosystem represents a city-region, a nation, or a set of united nations. The model identified is fractal in that the same model works at various scales. The key Elements are the:

• Ecosystem: This system identifies the place and the full set of living organisms within this area. The ecosystem also contributes a defined set of ecosystem services to support the human activity.
• Human Activity Systems: These are the social systems that underpin the economic activity. The Human Activity Systems form one of the dimensions of the system.
• Human Activity Infrastructure Services: These services are provided to the human activity ecosystem to provide basic services that support life and well-being.

The Human Activity Systems that interact to create an economy are the following:

• Household
• State (Government)

  • State: a nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government.

• Market or Commons (a Systemic Property) that includes the following:
  • Enterprise in various forms
• Financial Institution (e.g. Bank)
• Community of Practice (CoP)

The Human Activity Infrastructure Services have been grouped into three areas:

• Basic Human need: Food, Water, Sanitation, Shelter
• Economic Service: Energy, Transportation, Waste, Information and Communication
• Social Support Services: Education, Health, Emergency Services, Resource Usage Management (e.g. Land use).

Abstract systems: Monetary System. (including the concept of value). (possibly rename to Value Exchange System to include LETS).