The standard economic model of how economies work is that people produce and exchange goods–activities are essentially productive. While this view has made for a thriving profession of economics, it is not a correct view of reality. Through control of a society and its key elements (economy, government, social system), some people/groups in the society obtain income from others. This income is not based on production, but some form of taking away from/harming others. The definition of harm used here: one group uses resources to structure the alternatives of the second group in such a way that the first group benefits. “Your money or your life” structures peoples’ decision making so that they will give up their money. Monopolists obtain monopoly profits by restricting production. The institution of slavery has various mechanisms, including force and restricting the ability to flee, to keep people in bondage. Harm is essentially unproductive activity, so it is a reallocation from productive activity and those that undertake it. (The actual producers of cotton in slavery are not receiving the value of what they produced. Monopolists do sell goods, but their monopoly profits make a claim on production even though the monopoly action was restricting production.)

This harm is typically resisted by those being harmed. And there is competition from other groups-internally and externally–for control of the society. So, there are two basic aspects in a social system where harm is important: obtaining income and maintaining control. This is expressed in the principal categories used in the website which can be seen in the right column of each page. Nonetheless, the productive part of the society is the larger part, and should not be forgotten.

Income through harm can be obtained through the economy, government, or the broader social system. Typically all of these are involved, but one sector is more apparent. Categories principally related to the economy include Harm through the market, Control of land and natural resources, Crime, , and Slavery/Forced labor. Rent seeking and corruption are two descriptions for obtaining income through harm through the government. Discrimination: race – gender – ethnic – religious – class, and Discrimination against women typically are thought of as relating to the broader social system. These are not a complete list of types of harm that might be included.

Staying in power – Struggle for control is a central part of the operation of a productive + harmful political and economic system. For control we have important sub-categories including Conflict, Harming people – Keeping people oppressed and Opposing oppression and injustice .