Can't Pay, Won't Pay
The Case for Economic Disobedience and Debt Abolition
By Collective Debt | Publisher: Haymarket Books
About the book
Debtors have been mocked, scolded and lied to for decades. We have been told that it is perfectly normal to go into debt to get medical care, to go to school, or even to pay for our own incarceration. We’ve been told there is no way to change an economy that pushes the majority of people into debt while a small minority hoard wealth and power.
The coronavirus pandemic has revealed that mass indebtedness and extreme inequality are a political choice. In the early days of the crisis, elected officials drew up plans to spend trillions of dollars. The only question was: where would the money go and who would benefit from the bailout?
The truth is that there has never been a lack of money for things like housing, education and health care. Millions of people never needed to be forced into debt for those things in the first place.
Armed with this knowledge, a militant debtors movement has the potential to rewrite the contract and assure that no one has to mortgage their future to survive.
Debtors of the World Must Unite.
As isolated individuals, debtors have little influence. But as a bloc, we can leverage our debts and devise new tactics to challenge the corporate creditor class and help win reparative, universal public goods.
Individually, our debts overwhelm us. But together, our debts can make us powerful.
Editions of Can't Pay, Won't Pay
- EBook
- ISBN 9781642593822
Read an Excerpt
Debtors have been mocked, scolded and lied to for decades. We have been told that it is perfectly normal to go into debt to get medical care, to go to school, or even to pay for our own incarceration. We’ve been told there is no way to change an economy that pushes the majority of people into debt while a small minority hoard wealth and power.
The coronavirus pandemic has revealed that mass indebtedness and extreme inequality are a political choice. In the early days of the crisis, elected officials drew up plans to spend trillions of dollars. The only question was: where would the money go and who would benefit from the bailout?
The truth is that there has never been a lack of money for things like housing, education and health care. Millions of people never needed to be forced into debt for those things in the first place.
Armed with this knowledge, a militant debtors movement has the potential to rewrite the contract and assure that no one has to mortgage their future to survive.
Debtors of the World Must Unite.
As isolated individuals, debtors have little influence. But as a bloc, we can leverage our debts and devise new tactics to challenge the corporate creditor class and help win reparative, universal public goods.
Individually, our debts overwhelm us. But together, our debts can make us powerful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Can't Pay, Won't Pay about?
Debtors have been mocked, scolded and lied to for decades. We have been told that it is perfectly normal to go into debt to get medical care, to go to school, or even to pay for our own incarceration. We’ve been told there is no way to change an economy that pushes the majority of people into debt while a small minority hoard wealth and power.
The coronavirus pandemic has revealed that mass indebtedness and extreme inequality are a political choice. In the early days of the crisis, elected officials drew up plans to spend trillions of dollars. The only question was: where would the money go and who would benefit from the bailout?
The truth is that there has never been a lack of money for things like housing, education and health care. Millions of people never needed to be forced into debt for those things in the first place.
Armed with this knowledge, a militant debtors movement has the potential to rewrite the contract and assure that no one has to mortgage their future to survive.
Debtors of the World Must Unite.
As isolated individuals, debtors have little influence. But as a bloc, we can leverage our debts and devise new tactics to challenge the corporate creditor class and help win reparative, universal public goods.
Individually, our debts overwhelm us. But together, our debts can make us powerful.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Can't Pay, Won't Pay?
Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > Central / national / federal government > Central / national / federal government policies
Where can I read a sample of Can't Pay, Won't Pay?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781642593822
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Can't Pay, Won't Pay?
Collective Debt
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Can't Pay, Won't Pay is available as ebook(ISBN 9781642593822)
Where can I buy Can't Pay, Won't Pay online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Can't Pay, Won't Pay from below
Where can I buy Can't Pay, Won't Pay?