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What in Tartarus is Equestrias economy!


Unity

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So let me just say, I could have put alot more time and energy into this topic, but frankly I'm not the best at that while on mobile.

So, before I begin, please no "it's just a show and it doesent matter".

So I have noticed sooo many inconsistencies with Equestrias economy. First of all as in one of the episodes where spike is left to baby sit all the Mane 6's pets while they were gone to the crystal empire I noticed something weird. It seems like inhabitants of Equestria have 2 types of currency, Bits(less inconsistent) and they have Gems/crystals(super inconsistent). So where do I begin, well first of all in that episode the CMC bought this huge machine for just the smallest gem when spike bought seemingly next to worthless items for gems triple the size. Maybe their economy is more of a what pony's see fits but I'm not sure.

Could somepony please help me figure out how the economy works (if it even does work)

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Gems are a lot more plentiful in the show than they are in real life. Well, that's not exactly true, Gems and diamonds are pretty common in our world as well but we have a long standing corrupt diamond industry that's created artificial scarcity in order to jack up the prices. Equestria doesn't have those money grubbing blood money enthusiasts, so their gems are not subject to their obnoxious markups and are more readily available. Since this is the case, it actually would make a lot of sense that their value is rather inconsistent in their society. Gems would just be a novelty that ponies like, not something insanely valuable. So a pony that values gems and diamonds more personally would be willing to trade more expensive goods for them, while someone who only sees them as pretty stones may need something more substantial before making a trade. Even Maud, who's obsession with rocks is the centerpiece of her character, does not value most gems and diamonds that highly. 

So in short, I think where you're finding the inconsistency is in the fact that the gems just do not hold the same monetary value as they do irl. 

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Here's an article explaining the different areas and functions of Equestria's economy- https://colewebbharter.com/2014/07/16/the-radical-economics-of-my-little-pony/

Here's another one that kinda talks about the possible materials the coins are made out of, and also Equestria's social structure- https://www.fimfiction.net/story/811/1/economics-in-equestria/economics-in-equestria

I hope those articles help you somewhat answer your question, though I feel that they still leave out a lot of other stuff that could have been covered better :twi: 

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                                                    RA RA RASPUTIN

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14 minutes ago, Buck Testa said:

Gems are a lot more plentiful in the show than they are in real life. Well, that's not exactly true, Gems and diamonds are pretty common in our world as well but we have a long standing corrupt diamond industry that's created artificial scarcity in order to jack up the prices. Equestria doesn't have those money grubbing blood money enthusiasts, so their gems are not subject to their obnoxious markups and are more readily available. Since this is the case, it actually would make a lot of sense that their value is rather inconsistent in their society. Gems would just be a novelty that ponies like, not something insanely valuable. So a pony that values gems and diamonds more personally would be willing to trade more expensive goods for them, while someone who only sees them as pretty stones may need something more substantial before making a trade. Even Maud, who's obsession with rocks is the centerpiece of her character, does not value most gems and diamonds that highly. 

So in short, I think where you're finding the inconsistency is in the fact that the gems just do not hold the same monetary value as they do irl. 

I think your 100% correct.

This world also probably does not have magic that can also probably MAKE gems.


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  • 4 months later...

The problem I have with the two articles is the concept that gems are mostly ornamental. We see things like train tickets, food, and gratuities paid for by gems. So they clearly have some value. Now their value compared to bits is a bit of a mystery. I think that there is a heavy barter and IOU system that is just understood but not formalized. Further, I think one of the main governmental duties is settling such disputes when they arise but that such things rare occurrences. 


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From what I've gathered I don't really think Equestria have solidified the use of bits as a currency as much as one would expect. What I think is that the buying is mostly done with bits but can also be done as basic trading so basically what the seller feels like is worth it they'll accept it 

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Currency seems like it is probably a non-state issue. Some ponies use it in certain venues. Other times everything seems completely voluntary, like Fluttershy's wildlife habitat that would've cost a fortune to build (and then rebuild). There's also no mention of taxes, which means there's no reason to push a currency on the populous.

I sometimes wonder if Equestria is actually on its way towards becoming pure communism or something similar, and the use of money is just sort of hanging around out of habit or tradition. With ponies so willing to help each other out, wealth doesn't seem so necessary a motivator like it is with humans.

And some of the most important work that is done, doesn't seem to be funded. For example, are the Pegusi being paid for weather services?

Edited by bornAgainEquestrian

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  • 2 years later...

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