"If outsiders had a significant demand for products made in the commune (including travel inside it), then commune dwellers could probably pay products outside in commune certificates or at least find willing exchangers for them into outside money."

Very good point! I have heard that this commune survived because it adapted relatively quickly to capitalist practice if not capitalist theory. They were somewhat renowned, in certain circles, for a single product. As you say, that pile of certificates might have had some worth after a while, if the commune continued accepting them.

All the same, I think what most helped the commune survive was that most of its members came from wealthy families, so they could afford to lose value.




Baldur