Scenario: Consumption Quota

Consumption Quota • Pessimistic Near-Future

Consumption Quota

China and the US are neck and neck for the world’s largest GDP in 2025. GDP is a global vanity metric that countries use to assert dominance over one another. The world’s largest GDP is a coveted spot to have in terms of negotiating global trade agreements and geopolitical policies.

Gross Domestic Product optimizes for consumption. It’s a calculation that combines public and private spending and investment. In a world where everything is disposable, producible, purchasable, citizens now also have a civic duty to spend. During World War II, many governments rationed certain products like automobiles, gasoline, silk, shoes and food like meat, dairy, coffee and sugar. In the future, governments like the US and China might do the opposite - setting consumption quotas on citizens to ensure their rank in the global economy.

Universal Basic Income and other guaranteed income programs are ubiquitous. Citizens are punished for not spending fast enough since their digital wallets are publicly visible and tracked.