As man advances in civilization, and small tribes are united into larger communities, the simplest reason would tell each individual that he ought to extend his social instincts and sympathies to all the members of the same nation, though personally unknown to him. This point being once reached, there is only an artificial barrier to prevent his sympathies extending to the men of all nations and races.
Charles Darwin in “The Descent of Man,” first published in 1871.
So, how to slay this artificial barrier ... if we want to advance in civilisation?
17 July 2009
16 July 2009
STRUGGLE FOR ...
In the struggle for survival of our species
the global slogan and policy lead
is now:
> Struggle for Markets and Survival of the Largest
National Product<
the global slogan and policy lead
is now:
> Struggle for Markets and Survival of the Largest
National Product<
This implies the reality of the nation as an absolute and independent entity, and an economy that can be controlled nationally. Clearly, such a nation and national economy does not exist. Even less so in a globally interwoven trade, financial, production and marketing environment. Not to mention the global movement of people and labour force.
15 July 2009
...THE FITTEST
Who are "the fittest" in todays' globally interwoven economy? Not those who still pursue growth of National Product (a simplistic and lineair view), but those who are able to interweave the global economy and the self-empowered lifes of people in every corner of the world into a dynamic and harmonious whole (this requires a mind that can hold many aspects at the same time and understand their interconnectedness). Because only such policies will warrant the survival of all people and the wholesomeness of life on our planet.
So, what is this new policy? how does it look like? what are its goals? what are its leading concepts?
So, what is this new policy? how does it look like? what are its goals? what are its leading concepts?
14 July 2009
13 July 2009
WHAT ABOUT US .... ?
And what are the pains and problems that are a threat to peace and harmony in this globalized world?
- massive poverty and squalor for billions of our fellow beings,
- massive involuntary migration and anullment of the lives of those whom we declare 'illegal',
- human rights abuses by local and national authorities and by warrying parties, in rich as well as in developing countries,
- ongoing degradation of our natural environment and unsustainable useage of the planet's resources,
- continued push for still more overproduction of things we do not need and that do not contribute to our well-being.
- increasing commodifying of life (e.g. human interaction, animal life). More and more life values become a commodity to be sold for money, thus causing us to become more and more impoverished as human beings.
The wealth and relative peace and quiet that is enjoyed in some places of the world is often sustained by the exploitation of others and their economic resources.
Is this present state for the world something we can name civilization and progress?
- massive poverty and squalor for billions of our fellow beings,
- massive involuntary migration and anullment of the lives of those whom we declare 'illegal',
- human rights abuses by local and national authorities and by warrying parties, in rich as well as in developing countries,
- ongoing degradation of our natural environment and unsustainable useage of the planet's resources,
- continued push for still more overproduction of things we do not need and that do not contribute to our well-being.
- increasing commodifying of life (e.g. human interaction, animal life). More and more life values become a commodity to be sold for money, thus causing us to become more and more impoverished as human beings.
The wealth and relative peace and quiet that is enjoyed in some places of the world is often sustained by the exploitation of others and their economic resources.
Is this present state for the world something we can name civilization and progress?
12 July 2009
WE ARE TOLD THAT ...
We are told that ...
In order to be happy we must ... strive for growth of National Product
In order to fight unemployment we must ... strive for growth of National Product
In order to be safe we must ... strive for growth of National Product
In order to save the environment we must ... strive for growth of National Product
In order to develop the underdeveloped we must ... strive for growth of National Product
In order to have peace in the world we must ... strive for growth of National Product
But have we investigated into these claims? are they really true? and how so?
For many decades now (let's say since the end of WW II) the rich, industrialized nations have had - on the whole - growing and evergrowing National Products, but have we ...
- increased happiness of mankind in general?
- eradicated unemployment?
- increased the security of our nations and communities?
- improved the ecological balance?
- developed the poor economies?
- stabilized peace and harmony nationally and globally?
NO, we have not.
So, when are we finally going to admit that this trick is not working, but in fact much contributes to the problem? When will we decide to truly advance in civilization and stop the primitive policy of national borders that exclude others and extract the wealth of other nations for selfish use?
In order to be happy we must ... strive for growth of National Product
In order to fight unemployment we must ... strive for growth of National Product
In order to be safe we must ... strive for growth of National Product
In order to save the environment we must ... strive for growth of National Product
In order to develop the underdeveloped we must ... strive for growth of National Product
In order to have peace in the world we must ... strive for growth of National Product
But have we investigated into these claims? are they really true? and how so?
For many decades now (let's say since the end of WW II) the rich, industrialized nations have had - on the whole - growing and evergrowing National Products, but have we ...
- increased happiness of mankind in general?
- eradicated unemployment?
- increased the security of our nations and communities?
- improved the ecological balance?
- developed the poor economies?
- stabilized peace and harmony nationally and globally?
NO, we have not.
So, when are we finally going to admit that this trick is not working, but in fact much contributes to the problem? When will we decide to truly advance in civilization and stop the primitive policy of national borders that exclude others and extract the wealth of other nations for selfish use?
11 July 2009
WE ARE THE WORLD ...
We are the world ... and the world is round. The (world) economy is a circular process in which all people must participate. It is this cycle that any true economic policy has to hold in view and strive to keep going in as much a wholesome and balanced way as possible.
- all people must stay involved in the economy (as producers and/or consumers).
- they can do so in a number of economic ways, not only through money and market. Voluntary service, barter, self-sufficiency in public markets, communities or private homes are all 'economy'.
- we must guard the sustainability of the production and consumption cycles, lest they will not continue to cycle well in the future.
- empowerment is the deepest human value underlying all economic activity and planning; as the fundament, as the goal.
[empowerment is the capacity to live from self-defined views and goals and act from self-chosen strategies, while not hindering others to do the same]
- all people must stay involved in the economy (as producers and/or consumers).
- they can do so in a number of economic ways, not only through money and market. Voluntary service, barter, self-sufficiency in public markets, communities or private homes are all 'economy'.
- we must guard the sustainability of the production and consumption cycles, lest they will not continue to cycle well in the future.
- empowerment is the deepest human value underlying all economic activity and planning; as the fundament, as the goal.
[empowerment is the capacity to live from self-defined views and goals and act from self-chosen strategies, while not hindering others to do the same]
10 July 2009
YES, WE CAN ...
Will we be able to tackle two major challenges?
1. Replace the outdated GNP (Gross National Product) by an Indicator that counts People and Quality. Because that is what economy is about: to fulfill the needs of people in a sustainable way.
Such an indicator is proposed by Interdependent Economy, see Chapter II,3 ' The Measure of Good Economy - Money or People?'
2. Educate a new homo economicus, one who sees the economy as a circular process that turns around and around, bringing back our own inputs to ourselves while affecting many others in the meantime. This is to replace the old homo economicus who sees the economy as a linear process of more and more. A view that legitimatizes exploitation and destruction of others and nature.
1. Replace the outdated GNP (Gross National Product) by an Indicator that counts People and Quality. Because that is what economy is about: to fulfill the needs of people in a sustainable way.
Such an indicator is proposed by Interdependent Economy, see Chapter II,3 ' The Measure of Good Economy - Money or People?'
2. Educate a new homo economicus, one who sees the economy as a circular process that turns around and around, bringing back our own inputs to ourselves while affecting many others in the meantime. This is to replace the old homo economicus who sees the economy as a linear process of more and more. A view that legitimatizes exploitation and destruction of others and nature.
9 July 2009
LEADERS OF PEOPLE EVERYWHERE UNITE
Present leadership, e.g. governments, policy-makers, publicists, academics, but also people's movements have, in spite of much lipservice or even sincere intent, failed to change our ways.
Decades of dialogue, conferences, report-writing, democratization, civil society development, etc. have indeed contributed to some kind of awareness-raising and some corrective side programmes.
But the mainstream policies have not changed. The time for more endless dialogue is over.
NEW LEADERSHIP HAS TO STAND UP AND SIMPLY REPLACE THE OLD. INTERDEPENDENT ECONOMY PROPOSES THE FUNDAMENTAL VIEWS TO INSPIRE SUCH NEW LEADERSHIP.
Decades of dialogue, conferences, report-writing, democratization, civil society development, etc. have indeed contributed to some kind of awareness-raising and some corrective side programmes.
But the mainstream policies have not changed. The time for more endless dialogue is over.
NEW LEADERSHIP HAS TO STAND UP AND SIMPLY REPLACE THE OLD. INTERDEPENDENT ECONOMY PROPOSES THE FUNDAMENTAL VIEWS TO INSPIRE SUCH NEW LEADERSHIP.
8 July 2009
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