Roadmap to a New Economics: Beyond Capitalism and Socialism

[marmar]

via AlterNet:



Tikkun / By Riane Eisler

Roadmap to a New Economics: Beyond Capitalism and Socialism
We can all be leaders in building a social and economic system that really meets human needs.

April 13, 2010 |


When thinking of a new economics, let's not think of stocks, bonds, derivatives, or other financial instruments. Let's think of children. Let's ask what kind of economic policies and practices are good for children. Let's ask what's needed so all children are healthy, get a good education, and are prepared to live good lives. More fundamentally, let's ask what kind of economic system helps, or prevents, children from realizing their great potentials for consciousness, empathy, caring, and creativity -- the capacities that make us fully human.

Once we address these questions, we can start designing the road map to the economic system we want and need: one that promotes not only human survival but also full human development.

We must design such a system, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it is the economically sensible thing to do, particularly as we move into the postindustrial knowledge-information era where the most important capital is what some economists call "high-quality human capital." Indeed, Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen concurs that the aim of sound economic policy must be human capacity development.

This I agree with. But I want to add that for a truly new economic system, we need a broader definition of human capacity development than a purely economic one. Which brings us back to the children and to our human capacities for caring, empathy, consciousness, and creativity. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/vision/146173/roadmap_to_a_new_economics%3A_beyond_capitalism_and_socialism

[ixion]

1. How about we think of all of us, rather than just "the children"

which is actually a pretty weary justification.

The idea of the "common good" applies to everyone, not just children, or people with children, or any other sub-group. It applies to all of us. It applies to smokers and non-smokers, married or not married, gay or straight, right or left. It applies to everyone. And as long as one sub-group feels the need (and acts on it) to impose their will on another subset, the "common good" will never be served.

* Let's start making things -- things we really need -- again. It would bolster a sense of pride and purpose.

* Let's start treating each other with respect. It's the only way we can begin to have a constructive dialogue.

* Let's stop using prison as our sole means of punishment for non-violent offenders. Prisons are meant to keep dangerous people away from society. Recreational/Habitual drug users are not necessarily dangerous people.

* In short, let's start living simply and wisely, and with dignity and grace. Let's focus on the higher qualities of Humankind: Art, Science, Enlightenment.

Such a short list. It's amazing to think of how different our landscape would be were it to be implemented.

[JHB]

2. I guess we need some NEW way to DEAL with economics....

...since we've never ever had to find a successful way to navigate between laissez-faire capitalism and smothering, overeaching socialism before. :sarcasm: