Anti-Capitalist, Equal Wage, $19 Housing: Welcome to Marinaleda, Spain

For those who want to escape America should either Trump or Clinton scam their way into the presidency, perhaps you should research your chances of relocating to this beautiful little village in Spain. At the very least, the village of Marinaleda—which has been described as a democratic, socialist utopia—gives an inside-view of what an anti-capitalist community looks like, and it’s kind of awesome.

There are “virtually no police,” according to Films for Action’s report, and yet there is also no crime. Nor is there unemployment in the quaint little town, and this has been large in part due to Marinaleda’s “maverick” mayor, Juan Manuel Sánchez Gordillo, AKA “The Spanish Robin Hood.”

After the financial crisis began in 2008, Gordillo organized and carried out various raids on supermarkets in a direct act of protest. Basic food staples were taken out from under bewildered store clerks and cashiers, and delivered to food drives to help the poor.

Gordillo stated the following in an interview after the event, which he claims was an act of non-violent disobedience:

“There are many families who can’t afford to eat. In the 21^st century this is an absolute disgrace. Food is a right, not something with which you speculate.”

Films for Action’s report points out that there are 690,000 empty properties in that province of Spain alone due to bank foreclosures, however this is not the case for Marinaleda thanks to Gordillo’s solution; anyone who wants to build their own house may do so for free. Citizens are given free access to materials, are provided with qualified workmen, and are allowed 192 square meters to build a rather spacious home. In return, families pay 15 euros per month, equivalent to $19 USD.

Through the town’s farming cooperative, unemployment is virtually non-existent, and workers earn equal wages of 1200 euros ($1600 USD) per month. Gordillo further remarked:

“We need to rethink our values, the consumer society, the value we place on money, selfishness and individualism. Marinaleda is a small example, and we want this experience to extend throughout the world.”

Our congratulations to another rare and valuable politician who put the people’s needs before the system’s. Let us hope more nations will one day follow suit, but in the meantime—as Gordillo pointed out—the example this small village is setting can serve not only as an inspiration for citizens everywhere, but can also provide an outline we can strive for.

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