In an interview, Elon Musk states that the free flow of money is an important part of free society.
In nature, free flow doesn’t exist. Every flow is subject to the laws of nature, and material flows are subjected to gravity. On earth, this means that water flows down. In space the gravity is so low that objects with a certain velocity of their own circle around the earth and within those object there seems to be weightlessness, but in the end objects encircling the earth lose their velocity and fall back on the earth.
Is it possible that “society” – the ongoing collective life processes of millions of human beings – or money can flow freely? Society cannot exist without some order in the millions, so they can fulfill their roles in the total of society. This order means free flow doesn’t and can’t exist. Societal flows have a direction and purpose, and individuals can’t pull out of these flows. According to their abilities and capacities, they have freedom in choosing flows. For most people, the choices are meager or totally absent.
Ok, so a free flowing society is impossible, but maybe the free flow of money is? And if so, could that benefit the very limited freedoms of individuals? Alas, money is the bloodstream of modern capitalist society and keeps the individuals in their place as parts of society. Flow of money is flow of power, absolutely necessary to order society. Power can’t flow freely, but is wielded by the rulers. Money tends to accumulate in the hands of few who exercise their power over others. The accumulated state of money is called capital, and the ones that control the accumulated money are capitalists.
It should be noted that “control” is not identical to ownership. The CEO controls capital, but is not necessarily the owner. The non-controlling owners are rent-seekers, not capitalists. Nevertheless, they are an important part of the capitalist system. The problem with the present capitalist system is that accumulation becomes a goal in itself and replaces the goal of an ordered society where individuals can lead a decent life and have some freedom.
So Elon Musk, commanding the largest capital in the world, is the most powerful person and has a maximum of freedom. His capital is gigantic, but it is only a fraction of the total of accumulated capital in the world. So even his freedom is very limited. For the functioning of worldwide society that presently exists – though not as a world-state, this control is inevitable. In itself, it is not good or bad. That depends on how control is used. When Musk freed Twitter – although it’s the question if he will succeed – this was good. This can’t be said of all his other activities.
Further reading: Capital should be in solid hands, Social Capitalism
