We have grown accustomed to seeing money as a symbol of autonomy and independence. As something that belongs to individuals and expands their ability to make decisions. But its true value lies in something more essential and human: its ability to create bonds, build society, and foster a sense of belonging.
For many cultures, money is the ultimate tool for achieving independence. After all, a solid bank account is the best passport to not having to depend on anyone. However, there are parts of the world where money doesn't belong solely to the individual. More than a symbol of autonomy, it is a sign of belonging. An element designed to create bonds and bring the community together.
In these cultures, capital doesn't belong to the individual, but to the tribe. That is why true poverty does not mean having empty pockets, but being left outside the safety net provided by the family or group. From this perspective, financial strength is not measured by what we are able to accumulate, but by our relationships and what we can build with their support.
Group economics: India, China, and Mediterranean culture
This approach is deeply rooted in Asian culture and stems from its approach to society. In contrast to the Western cult of the individual, centered on autonomy and personal freedom, the East embraces the power of the collective. There, the success and security of the group always take precedence over the individual. This is reflected in the way money is viewed in the two great Asian giants: India and China.
In India, the economy is structured around the joint family. There, parents, children, grandparents, and other relatives share a home, resources, and often a business. The money doesn't belong to anyone in particular, but to the group and circulates from one member to another. Parents and uncles finance the education and emancipation of younger family members, who, as they prosper, have a moral and financial obligation to support the family business, pay for their younger siblings’ weddings or education, and ensure that older family members enjoy a dignified old age.
In this context, the business is understood not simply as a source of income, but as the wealth of a lineage. That is why financial decisions are made with the group's long-term survival in mind.
In China, this model goes one step further. The family is the economic core, but money also serves to build relationships outside the family. The concept of guanxi encapsulates this way of understanding relationships: a network of trust, reciprocity, and commitment that transcends economic exchange. Money doesn't initiate a transaction; it initiates a relationship. If someone helps you financially or provides you with a business opportunity, you become bound to that person by an invisible debt of honor (renqing). Returning the favor when they need it is obligatory, since breaking the economic bond can damage your reputation and undermine your social identity.
This collective outlook can also be found in parts of Europe, such as the Mediterranean, where family also plays an essential role both as a support network and in ensuring business continuity. In countries such as Spain, Italy, and Greece, family ties are extremely important, both as a safety net and as a means of financing and building businesses. In fact, in Spain, according to the report Relevance and Survival of Family Businesses, published in 2025 by the Family Business Institute (IEF) and its Network of Chairs, 92.4% of businesses are family-owned, making them an economic and social engine.
Despite the growing trend toward individualism in our societies, experience shows that personal relationships continue to play a fundamental role. In situations such as helping a family member, recommending a friend for a professional opportunity, or supporting someone close to you during a difficult time, human relationships create value. And wealth is not expressed solely in terms of income or assets: it is also found in the capital we build over the course of our lives.
Money as social glue
This way of understanding money has accompanied societies since their origins. More than simply serving as an alternative to barter, money has been used to create obligations, strengthen bonds, and sustain relationships built on trust. In a way, being “in debt” to someone was the social glue that held people together: if I help you today, you will help me tomorrow.
This model reveals the most human dimension of money. As philosopher and economist Karl Polanyi argued, the economy is not driven solely by market forces. It is also shaped by culture, personal relationships, and a sense of belonging. It isn't used solely to pursue immediate individual gain, but also to strengthen and help the group prosper.
Rediscovering this community-based approach offers us a valuable lesson for everyday life. Rather than viewing financial security as something that comes from accumulating money on our own, the support networks of Asia and the Mediterranean remind us of an important truth: wealth is also built through the people around us.
Because, deep down, the greatest wealth has never been the ability to accumulate, but the ability to belong. And few things create more value than knowing that, when the time comes, someone will be there for you.