Chapter 173 Democracy

After the major modification plan for the spacecraft was released, a large number of construction robots were immediately released.

They first used some high-temperature resistant materials to block the large and small magma mouths in a planned manner. Then, in some areas, they released the air stored by people and began to use ice to cool down on a large scale.

All house construction and spacecraft modification plans are also proceeding in an orderly manner. For these necessary functional buildings, the government does not hesitate to use precious mineral resources. A large number of works are still completed by intelligent machines, and humans only need to be responsible for the mechanical control behind them, so the progress of the entire project is very fast.

For "life individuals", the most important thing is survival needs. Only when the survival needs are met can we talk about safety needs, spiritual needs or other needs. The top leaders of the new government have the clearest understanding of this.

What humans really lack are inorganic salt fertilizers such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, organic matter used to make plastics and paper, and water resources. These three things may seem insignificant, but they are closely related to human daily life.

Most of the current agricultural plants are cultivated without water. Once fertilizers such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are used up, they will be stored in the organism and are difficult to recycle.

Similarly, although plastics and paper can be recycled, they are contaminated and difficult to recycle.

As for other mineral materials such as metals, they are rarely used in life, so Yu Yifeng doesn't have to worry too much.

And in terms of energy... As long as thermal power plants are built on a large scale, there is no need to worry too much for at least a few decades.

So there is no shortage of materials and energy in the laboratory, and the development of human science and technology will not be delayed. This is also a point of relief for him. In this universe, science and technology are too important.

But... the lack of living materials is also very troublesome.

Material resources are an important guarantee for survival needs. Material deficiencies will inevitably affect all aspects of life.

Lack of fertilizers and inorganic salts will reduce the diversity and quality of people's food. Lack of water will make bathing a luxury and can no longer be as free as before... People's quality of life will inevitably decline.

Drifting in space, it is impossible to supply all mankind with the resources of a planet as on Mars. The reserve resources in Noah are all that humans have, and we can only use them a little less. People can only live a frugal life as much as possible.

Although the spacecraft is equipped with a material recycling system, not all things can be recycled, and some things will always be wasted a little in the process of recycling again and again. All these add up to a relatively large number.

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality. Who would want to live a bad life when they have a good life? Material deficiencies can easily lead to dissatisfaction in people's hearts, reduced work enthusiasm, and even social unrest, which is what the new government does not want to see.

Although these things have not happened yet, who can guarantee that they will happen in the future? No one knows whether the long-accumulated dissatisfaction will completely erupt.

Yu Yifeng couldn't help but sigh inwardly that resource shortage is a big problem!

In order to solve this problem, Yu Yifeng, Sean, Wang Yufan and other senior government officials finally thought of several solutions after detailed discussions.

The first is to control it by economic means.

The government deliberately raises the prices of daily necessities and weakens the purchasing power of the new currency, thereby controlling people's quality of life. However, such measures will definitely lead to dissatisfaction among the people.

But no matter how dissatisfied we are, as long as the monthly salary paid by the government is enough for people to survive, it will be fine.

Such hard days will continue until Noah encounters a planet...

"But in this case, the image of the government will be terrible... It's like the government deprives people of a good life."

If we reason with ordinary people, they will understand the current predicament. But they can understand it for a while, but not for a lifetime. After a long time, they will probably blame the government.

Professor Sean sighed and said, "Even if people return to a good life in the future, the image of the government will still be bad. The mobility and cohesion of the entire civilization will no longer be the same as before... It's easy for people's hearts to disperse, but it's difficult to gather them together."

Yu Yifeng also frowned and said, "Yes, this is what I worry about most."

People's livelihood issues have always been very important, mainly in food, clothing, housing, transportation, retirement, medical care, children's education and other necessities of life. People's livelihood issues are also the most concerned, most direct and most realistic interests of the people. If they are not solved well, it is easy to cause a series of chaos, which the new government must avoid.

How can a government that is falling apart and a civilization that is against the will of the people survive in the starry sky full of dangers? Maybe a little bit of an emergency can lead to the extinction of mankind!

So this tough way of economic control is not advisable.

Of course, there is a second method: implement militarized management and implement a rationing system for all people!

In fact, this method is similar to the first one, but people will be slightly less resentful. At least everyone is eating from the same pot, egalitarianism, and there is nothing to do if they are dissatisfied...

However, the disadvantages of a one-size-fits-all rationing system are needless to say. It is too rigid and will seriously affect people's enthusiasm. Yu Yifeng does not want to use the rationing system unless it is absolutely necessary.

Several people discussed it again and felt deeply the difficulty...

It is basically impossible to make people live frugally and reduce dissatisfaction!

"For now, if the public is informed of the shortage of materials, they are likely to save money spontaneously..." Professor Sean said.

Yu Yifeng also nodded. The ordinary people in Noah are indeed of high quality, and it is possible for them to save money spontaneously.

But the question is, this kind of spontaneity is not mandatory, can people really do it for a long time?

It can only be said that it is difficult... If one person becomes extravagant, then others will wonder why they should be frugal? Just like the principle that a rat shit spoils the whole pot of porridge, this problem is difficult to avoid.

Several people fell silent at the same time, and were at a loss...

"I think we can let the people vote and decide this issue democratically." The speaker was Wang Yufan.

"We need to make the issue of material shortage clear and let the people choose for themselves how much living materials they need to produce each month. Including the quality of food, the amount of water used, and the amount of other daily necessities used, etc."

"It is always thankless for our government to help people choose. However, if everything is chosen by them, even if they bite the bullet and have a poor quality of life, they can only endure it..."

Yu Yifeng touched his chin, as if it was true. Having been the leader of a civilization for so long, he has a natural dictatorial mindset, wanting to help everyone decide everything, which is definitely a thankless approach.

Authoritarianism has its advantages and disadvantages. Authoritarianism can make decisions on the spot in times of crisis, and one person can decide the direction of civilization; but in peacetime, it will be disliked for no reason.

"The overall quality of the citizens of Noah is very high, and everyone has the ability to think independently. After weighing the pros and cons, they will definitely make a frugal living plan. At that time... the results they make themselves will not be blamed on us, and the credibility of the government will not be reduced."

Wang Yufan said seriously.

Yu Yifeng felt more and more that Wang Yufan, a seemingly upright guy, was actually very treacherous.

But he agreed with Wang Yufan very much. This is indeed a good idea, let the people be the masters of their own house and vote to decide the quality of life.

This is the so-called democracy... In fact, the final result has been determined.

Yu Yifeng suddenly had a flash of inspiration, "Our policies can actually be bolder..."

"Can we take this opportunity to create a more harmonious society?"