| Concept | Alternative savings |
| Function | Social redistribution and community support |
| Main benefits | Community organizing • Social welfare |
| Place of origin | |
| Purpose of savings | Communal projects • Mutual aid |
| Individual contribution | Small personal savings • Collective pooling |
In this alternate timeline, the concept of savings plays a unique role in society, serving as a means of social redistribution and support rather than personal long-term finance. The distinctive economic system emphasizes community cooperation, and local savings collectives are integral to its functioning.
In this timeline, the global economy functions on principles of cooperative economics, where individuals and communities prioritize mutual aid, resource distribution, and social responsibility over competition and accumulation of wealth. This system replaces the capitalism-based model widely seen in our reality, leading to a shift in the purpose of personal savings.
Savings are no longer primarily viewed as a means to accumulate wealth for individuals' retirement, emergencies, or future purchases. Instead, the focus of savings shifts to fostering communal well-being and prosperity. By voluntarily contributing savings to community projects and mutual aid initiatives, individuals demonstrate solidarity and commitment to supporting each other. This redistribution mechanism enables investments in public goods, supports those in need, and strengthens interpersonal ties. Personal savings can still be accessed for individual expenses but with the understanding that contributing to the collective is a vital part of society.
The primary vehicle for managing the community savings pool are local savings collectives. These cooperatives act as decentralized financial institutions, overseen by democratically elected boards made up of community members. The collectives accept savings deposits, manage collective funds, and coordinate investments in community projects or members facing financial hardship.
The emphasis on community savings collectives creates a fertile ground for robust mutual aid networks and grassroots initiatives. With redistributed funds, communities mobilize to address shared concerns, including infrastructure, affordable housing, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. These projects not only improve living conditions but also foster social cohesion and cooperation, making communities more resilient. Additional benefits include reduced income inequality, increased intergenerational collaboration, and stronger civic engagement.
Overall, the role savings play in this alternate timeline drastically differs from our reality, with communal support and mutual aid taking precedence over personal wealth accumulation. This shift reflects a societal commitment to collective well-being, solidarity, and resource sharing.
