Commercialisation

Commercialisation, which encourages competitiveness, self-interest, greed, and complacency, dominates modern economic and social thinking. It contributes significantly to widening social disparities and deepening economic inequality.

To understand the prevailing meaning of today’s global economy, it is essential to explore the phenomenon of commercialisation—a mindset shaped by the growing influence of market forces. Commercialization creates both external and internal conflicts—war, as discussed by Mohammed Sofiane Mesbahi in his publication, Commercialization: The Antithesis of Sharing:

"In truth, commercialisation is nothing less than a silent war, a war against humanity’s growth and evolution. This statement cannot be emphasised strongly enough: commercialisation is a war. Not just a war between different sides, between competing nations or rival tribes, but a war in itself. It is a war that is being waged within every household, community and nation because commercialisation is so devious, so intelligent, that it precisely knows the weaknesses of humanity. It knows our emotional nature intimately well because this is where it resides, and from where it manipulates us.”[1]

The word commerce comes from the Latin commercium,[2] a combination of com (together) and merx (merchandise). Throughout history, the trading of goods has been an essential human activity. Trade fostered connection and cooperation among communities; it led to the creation of markets, the invention of money, and the emergence of complex economic and social systems.

In recent decades, however, trade has expanded beyond the economic sphere and evolved into a worldview—a way of thinking that treats nearly all goods, resources, and human activities as means to generate profit. This is the essence of commercialisation.

Today, virtually everything is commodified and subjected to commercialisation. Not only goods and services, but also natural resources, public institutions, knowledge, culture, human relationships, and even human beings, are being turned into commodities to be bought or sold on the market.

While profit has historically been an inherent aspect of trade, in today’s world, it has become the overriding purpose, not just of commerce but of nearly all economic and even social activity. It is no longer about earning a decent living but about generating continuous and ever-increasing profit, often disconnected from real human needs. Wealth accumulation has become an end in itself, and in the process, some of the most destructive human tendencies—greed, selfishness, and hyper-competitiveness—have been amplified.

Commercialisation has now permeated nearly every aspect of life. It has infiltrated healthcare, education, housing, food and water supply, culture, nature, and even our intimate relationships. The profit motive influences decisions at every level of society, frequently at the expense of compassion, fairness, and human dignity.

Consider the following:

• Nearly 800 million people are hungry in a world with more than enough food. Yet food is traded on financial markets as a speculative commodity. Meanwhile, celebrity chefs earn fortunes preparing luxury meals. Is this not grotesque?
• Around half of the global population doesn’t have access to basic medical care. Preventable diseases cause immense suffering and countless avoidable deaths.
• Housing has become a speculative asset, pushing millions out of the market. Young people cannot afford homes, to gain independence or start families, while entire neighbourhoods are converted into tourist rentals and profit-driven accommodations.

These are direct consequences of commercialisation. Human suffering is rationalised as 'economic reality', while profit is exalted above all else.

Commercialization fosters not only greed and competition but also indifference and complacency. It isolates us, making us self-centred and focused on personal gain while blinding us to the suffering of others. This distortion of our values erodes the social fabric, leading to a deepening global inequality that becomes increasingly dangerous.

It is essential to recognize that this situation is not inevitable. Commercialisation is a mindset—a dangerous one—but it is a mindset we have the power to change. Sharing is the noble path away from the edge of the abyss to which commercialisation has brought us.

From the e-book: Meditations on the Sharing Economy

Endnotes

1 Mesbahi, M. S. Commercialisation: The antithesis of sharing. Share The World's Resources. Retrieved from https://sharing.org/information-centre/articles/commercialisation-antithesis-sharing

2 Wiktionary. Commercium. Retrieved from https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/commercium

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