Note: An asterisk (*) next to a source means it hasn’t yet been fully reviewed by the PTB team.

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Before the welfare state, economist Milton Friedman explains, non-governmental solutions were numerous, and these solutions declined after the growth of the welfare state. The key institution that provided across-the-board aid was the “mutual aid” or “friendly” society: voluntary, cooperative organizations that pooled resources from members for mutual benefit.

*David T. Beito’s book, From Mutual Aid to Welfare State: Fraternal Societies and Social Services, 1890-1967 (2000), is a great introduction to mutual aid societies. For a blurb, Press Me!

Disaster Relief

Maui wildfire (2023) – Government fails; private individuals and groups fill the gaps. For details, Press Me!

India’s social media vs. COVID (2021) – India uses social media to coordinate COVID resources. For details, Press Me!

Vaccine distribution (2021) – Website automates distribution of leftover vaccine doses. For details, Press Me!

Texas winter power crisis (2021) – H-E-B let customers leave without paying when the power was cut. For details, Press Me!

The Auntie Sewing Squad (2020) – A mutual aid collective of thousands sewing masks during COVID. For details, Press Me!

Refugee crisis (2017) – For details, Press Me!

Louisiana flood (2016) – In response to flooding emergencies, an informal network of small boat pilots calling themselves the “Cajun Navy” rescued stranded residents and distributed food. For details, Press Me!

Joplin tornado (2011) – For details, Press Me!

Chilean miners (2010) – For details, Press Me!

Hurricane Katrina (2005) – For details, Press Me!

Chicago fire (1871) – A voluntary mutual aid society – the Chicago Relief and Aid Society – successfully collected funds and administered aid during and after a devastating 19th century disaster, even in the absence of charity tax breaks, or the expectation of state or federal relief. For details, Press Me!

Health Care/Insurance

Mutual aid societies – For details, Press Me!

Privatization – For details, Press Me!

Market solutions – For details, Press Me!

Refugees – For details, Press Me!

Safety Net

Theory and practice – For details, Press Me!

Pre-modern England – For details, Press Me!

The Black Panthers – For details, please visit the section, “The Black Panthers” here!

Greek anarchists – For details, Press Me!

Blockchain – For details, Press Me!

MrBeast – For details, Press Me!