It can work fine if they can find enough people who feel good about being altruistic and don't want more. There are certainly people like that. Are there enough to run an economy? Not remotely. Are there enough to run a largish organization? Nope.
> Are there enough to run a largish organization? Nope.
I'm not convinced this is true. I can think of some small organizations full of employees who could make more money elsewhere but who are dedicated to an altruistic cause.