Economy of Kindness: 2012

TOWARDS AN ECONOMY OF KINDNESS

Ethical Human Solutions to the Global Crisis

Introduction

"Problems cannot be solved with the same consciousness that created them." — Albert Einstein

There is growing global discontent across the political spectrum at the imbalance of the distribution of wealth and resources in our societies. The situation is reaching a tipping point where peaceful protest (and some not so peaceful, as demonstrated in the Middle East) has become commonplace. There are of course, solutions but we need to look at ways of breaking out of patterns which are at the root of the current global crisis.

The economic situation, in which we find ourselves, is not something that has been caused in the last few years, but goes back centuries. If we had looked at patterns throughout history, we may have been able to prevent getting to the current crisis and could still find ways to fix it.

The ‘experts’ we’ve relied upon and trusted for years to build and maintain a stable economy where everybody has a chance to live well, happily and comfortably, have failed to do so. Instead they have created disparity and division.

Our politicians too, rather than following the wishes of the people who elected them, are behaving like directors of large corporations, telling us what to do. They are allowing big business, rather than the people’s needs, to dictate government policy.

The “boom and bust” model that has been in play over many years has led us further and further into a spiral of over-consumption and debt. We’re spending money and using resources at a rate which is unsustainable.

After millennia, we’re still using brute force and fighting to gain power, land and resources. This behaviour, in which we’ve all been complicit to a greater or lesser degree, has led us to the current world crisis.

We cannot get things back into balance by using the same techniques and understanding that got us here in the first place. To create equilibrium there needs to be a shift of paradigms and consciousness – a re-evaluation of our social, political and economic systems.

Many of us feel powerless to change things. But is this really the case? If we don’t vote and we don’t take the opportunity to voice our opinions, we allow ourselves to be powerless. That’s why this paper and others like it are coming to the fore. It’s time for us to speak out and to do what we can to make positive change.

What follows is controversial and is at odds with much current thinking, so it requires an open mind, where previous conditioning and prejudices are put aside and new ways of organising ourselves can be considered. It is only because the great inventors chose to challenge the status quo in this manner, that we have seen extraordinary technological progress, hence the reference to Albert Einstein’s quotation at the start of this article.

If we wish to avoid even greater human suffering and ecological disaster, we need solutions. It is time for us too, to think ‘outside the box’.

First, let’s look at where we are now.

The Status Quo

We are led to believe that, in the Western world at least, we live in a democracy. Let’s take a look at the meaning of “Democracy” as defined in dictionaries, including the Oxford English Dictionary, as follows:

democracy

a. Government by the people; that form of government in which the sovereign power resides in the people as a whole, and is exercised either directly by them (as in the small republics of antiquity) or by officers elected by them under a free electoral system. In mod. use often more vaguely denoting a social state in which all have equal rights, without hereditary or arbitrary differences of rank or privilege. b. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges. c. the common people of a community as distinguished from any privileged class; the common people with respect to their political power.

Does this description truly describe the society in which we currently live? It seems we have strayed significantly off course in some crucial ways, but it is retrievable if ‘the people’ are willing to make their voices heard and those currently in positions of power and influence are willing to co-operate to operate a true democracy.

A snapshot of the current situation:

· We are led to believe by Governments and Media that the earth has insufficient resources to cope with everyone’s needs. This is untrue. As Ghandi said, “There is enough for everyone’s needs, but not enough one man's greed”. ‘Survival of the fittest’ is a normal animal reaction, but being human and living in a true democracy adds the responsibility to care for society as a whole. The issue is not a lack of resources, but the distribution of resources and wealth.

· There is a growing global disillusionment with the way things are being handled by those in power – in government and in business, fuelled by the inequality of the distribution of wealth and resources. In the press (Metro, 22.11.11 etc), for example, it is reported that “Britain’s top executives have seen their salaries soar by more than 4,000 per cent in the last 30 years”, whilst “...the pay packet of the average worker has increased by 300 per cent over the same period.”

· Depending on the source, around 50% of global wealth is reported to be held between 1 and 2% of the earth’s population. There’s a massive and growing difference between the “haves” and the “have nots”.

· The system of monetarism means that many decisions taken, both politically and in business are based solely on financial gain and without consideration for the impact on the earth or on the population. Money and material wealth is seen as “King” if not “God”.

· We have seen “austerity measures” introduced by our politicians, savagely cutting services and community projects. Yet it seems there is plenty of money to blow each other up! According to UN figures, World Military Spending in 2010 was US$1.6 Trillion and military spending has increased dramatically since the turn of the century, despite the global financial crisis. Whilst spending on issues such as health, education, peace and poverty are just a fraction of this amount.

· On 5.12.11 the UK Government doubled the spend on the Olympic Games ceremonies. Where did this money come from? How is this affordable when so much else is not? What is being sacrificed for a public relations exercise?

· In the UK, student fees at University have increased 300% in one year, putting higher education out of many people’s reach, despite pre-election promises that fees would not increase and on which, certain politicians were elected.

· Fuel prices are going through the roof, whilst the energy companies report massively increased profits at the expense of the poorest in the community. Is this fair? What happened to the cheaper prices that were promised as a result of privatising these resources and encouraging competitive markets?

· At the time of writing, youth unemployment in the UK reached 1 million and we have over 2.5 million people currently out of work. This is costly, unproductive and demoralising.

· Those of us who have work, are working almost round the clock to maintain our lifestyle at the expense of spending time with those we love. As far as our energy is concerned, we’re overdrawn and so is our financial system. This is the effect of a society where competition and financial success is seen as more important than quality of life and society.

· Over-zealous regulations which are intended to protect vulnerable people in society have led to counter-productive results and undermine the reason for their introduction, creating cynicism and lack of credibility.

· Despite the fact that many leaders have acted in good faith, we have developed a culture of greed and ‘spin’ – a ‘take what you want, when you want it, no matter what the consequences’ culture. What kind of an example is this setting our young people?

· In summer 2011 discontented and disconnected youngsters ran riot, looted and destroyed their own neighbourhoods in London and other cities of the world.

· In 2008, banks received a £37 billion bailout funded by the taxpayer (who in the UK have an average household income of around £26,500 per year). Whilst these lower income -bracket people are having their homes repossessed and are losing their jobs and livelihoods, the bankers are using their money to be rewarded with large bonuses for failing! Is this financial trading any more than a big gambling casino - in many cases, gambling with people’s lives? Is this really an ethical way to do business?

· We often hear financial pundits telling us “We have to appease the financial markets”. Surely what they’re really referring to is the 1-2% minority of the wealthy elite? This leads to irresponsible and greedy business and political decision-making that keeps us chained to the concept that material wealth is the only consideration.

· Technology, despite huge benefits has, in many instances, made us more distant and disconnected and keeps us ‘tied to our desks’ 24/7, affecting our health and relationships adversely.

· Governments spend money as if it was their own, yet it is the people’s money. Political leaders are simply custodians who are elected to carry out the will of the people.

· Many politicians have broken trust with those who elected them by constantly breaking pre-election promises, going into wars by bullying their own MPs, ignoring massive public protest and quoting highly questionable intelligence. Restrictions on personal freedom, abuses of human rights and fiddling of expenses have added to the discontent. Politicians haven’t necessarily broken the rules (many of which were set by themselves), but they have broken the spirit of the rules, which is perhaps more offensive and leads us into an Orwellian manner of running our society.

· A culture of fear has been cultivated by leaders and the media. This has resulted in over-regulation, takes away personal freedoms and halts natural human interaction, breaking down societies.

· The media is also responsible for some massive breaches of privacy, which have led to murder investigations being thrown off track and personal distress for many. Where are the ethics in this kind of journalism?

· Many of the games and entertainments we are happy to expose our young children to are violent and help make violence an acceptable part of society. It is not.

· We’ve created a culture of competition rather than co-operation. Whilst competition in sport is a great channel for the release of primal adversorial energies in a non-violent way, in society it has created unfair division and massive disparity. Exploitation, use, abuse and manipulation of the majority by the minority have become acceptable as the ‘norm’.

This paints a dysfunctional and unhealthy picture and leaves many without hope.

Clearly, there are many who run businesses, charitable organisations, governments and society ethically and responsibly. There are also many who work as responsibly as they can, and with the best of intentions within the current system, but these ethical people are currently the exception rather than the rule. We have to change if we are to avoid further disastrous consequences.

So if this is where we are just now, what can we learn from it and how will that help us put things into perspective? What needs to happen to create a more stable future where everyone has the opportunity to flourish?

The Challenge

The challenge is to take collective responsibility for rebuilding our society and the economy and to rebalance what is currently chaotic; to restore trust and understanding so that, from a more secure material base, humanity can recognise its full potential.

Our ‘full potential’ or ‘flourishing’ as described by ancient philosopher, Aristotle means the balance achieved when a person does what they ought to do as well as what they want to do, taking pleasure in moral action and doing so through free choice. This, he defines as being successful and centred as a human being. He viewed the purpose of economic action as using things that are necessary for survival and for the Good Life (or ‘flourishing’). Aristotle highlights social life in a community as being a necessary condition for complete flourishing in human beings and views the proper aim of government as the promotion of its citizens’ happiness.

So too, in his book, “Economy, Ecology & Kindness”, modern day economist Roy Gillet says, “...in any sustainable economic system, ‘for anything we take, an equal amount must be given in some way’. This is the fundamental requirement if we wish to live a successful and happy economic life. This is the fundamental financial fact”

So it seems, in our collective eagerness to gain material wealth, many of us have lost sight of what it means to be HUMAN. In the last century, our focus has been almost exclusively on money and material gain. This is only part of the picture. We have been taking out relentlessly without putting enough back.

After all, what is material wealth? Is it the only route to happiness? Certainly not. Money is a resource which can be used for positive or negative means. It can allow us huge freedom or we can become its slave. We can use it purely to accumulate untold personal wealth and power to the exclusion of others, or we can use it to make our own lives better whilst serving others at the same time. To earn it, we commit time, energy and value; too often using and abusing the earth’s resources.

Human potential is so much more than is currently being expressed. In making material wealth our sole measure of ‘success’ and our sole consideration in creating growth, we’re missing a huge chunk of human life and this is what is causing the imbalance we are currently experiencing.

A good and peaceful living can still be made, without destroying our planet and people’s lives. So where do we start? There follows some concepts which could set us on the path to restoring balance.

Ethical Human Solutions

1. Many political and business decisions over the last century have been made with little regard for the consequences for life – for the environment, society and humanity. If we are to celebrate life, fulfil our human potential and preserve our planet for future generations, we have to reconsider these fundamental elements alongside financial gain.

2. The system has operated on a divide and rule basis, setting one individual or collective group against another. One person is encouraged to feel they are better or more deserving than someone else. Divisions around race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and financial disparities highlight human differences. These divisions are manipulated by certain oppressive elements at the cost of human ethics and values. The vast majority want a peaceful and happy life. A more tolerant, understanding and forgiving attitude from everyone and a refusal to be manipulated into these divisions could result in more creative solutions because of rather than despite our diversity.

3. Do our political parties resolve these divisions or do they perpetuate them? As leaders and role models, it would be desirable for political parties to find a way towards unity within their diversity for the public good. Politicians would be better served making real and ethical decisions that truly reflect the public they serve, rather than bickering amongst themselves. At present political parties in the West at least, are simply variations of how you want your brand of capitalism served.

4. The conflict between public and private sectors within the political forum does not work and is a waste of energy and valuable resources. Both private and public enterprise is required and if both work together harmoniously, real progress could be made.

5. There is growing pressure on MPs to “toe the party line” in crucial parliamentary votes. If MPs were more accountable to their constituents, their actions would more truly reflect the will of the people and would result in a more harmonious relationship between politicians and those who vote them into power.

6. Whilst MPs have expressed the belief that they should receive a commercial wage, they are in fact, elected representatives of the public and, as such, provide a public service. Their remuneration should reflect that. After all, their wages are funded by the people to make responsible and ethical decisions.

7. The issue of manipulated expense claims for second homes (and duck houses!) by MPs could be easily overcome by providing state-owned accommodation in hotels or perhaps in the accommodation being built for the Olympic Games at the tax-payers’ expense.

8. As they serve very different needs, business interference in political decisions should be discouraged, although it is clear consultation between the two would be helpful if all interactions are completely transparent and accessible by the public? In an ethical society, people in all walks of life, including businessmen and politicians, would WANT to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law, rather than finding ways to manipulate laws on technicalities to their personal advantage.

9. Employees treated with respect, being remunerated fairly and treated humanely for doing a good job have been proven to perform better and are less likely to result in unfair compensation claims by unhappy and oppressed employees. Employers could be rewarded for good practice in terms of tax breaks, for example, to encourage respectful and harmonious relationships.

10. Responsible consideration by business owners/directors of the balance between the number of people employed, payment received and the service and value delivered, in preference to basing decisions purely on money-saving to “appease the markets” would be likely to result in greater productivity and satisfaction all round.

11. Reform of the prison detention system so that non-dangerous offenders pay back or repair what they have done rather than serving a prison sentence would relieve pressure on the prison system and would avoid some offenders sinking further into criminal life. Encouraging criminals to take responsibility for their actions, repairing damage done and learning a transferrable skill, could result in reformed offenders who are better equipped to return to law-abiding citizenship.

12. Ownership of fuels such as electricity, gas & oil could be transferred to an ethical, global organisation (perhaps through the UN) with resources shared worldwide. This would avoid the current exploitation of customers where already rich corporations, increase their prices to inflate the profits at the expense of the poorer majority, who suffer inflated fuel bills and other essential goods and services.

13. The commandments say “Thou shalt not kill”. However, we continue to make war on each other. If I kill someone I am in conflict with, I will be sent to prison. If governments decide to go to war and kill thousands of people, that is acceptable in our society. It is time for war to be made illegal so that countries have to find other ways to co-operate rather than oppose and ‘bully’ each other?

14. War and weaponry is big money and keeps many people in employment. But what could that amount of manpower and financial resource do to create more sustainable farming and industry? The ‘experts’ talk about the need to find new ways of generating more food due to the increased population. But the truth is, there’s plenty to go round – one third of the world over-produces and wastes food, whilst the other two-thirds starves. This is clearly not humane and the issue could be solved by improving the distribution of food and our agricultural prowess worldwide.

15. If some of the money currently spent on arms and war, were spent on providing free dignified treatment and care for sick, poor, vulnerable and elderly people, local council budgets would be under less pressure and those who have served their communities would receive the treatment in later life that they deserve.

16. A system where our school curricula include lessons on citizenship, wellbeing, social and environmental responsibility and work with community projects would result in graduates who are academically proficient, who are able to take care of themselves and have a sense of social, environmental & personal responsibility.

17. Deliberate manipulation and deception put out by advertisers, retailers, services and government organisations, has destroyed trust and confidence. The frustration and anger this creates, leads to an unhappy, unfriendly, discordant society. If organisations took greater responsibility for producing true, transparent information, this would restore confidence and would encourage true ethical enterprise.

18. If companies which promote drugs, foods, tobacco & alcohol that lack nourishment and/or are addictive, were forced to give a true representation of what is in their products and the likely detrimental effect to the individual, each person could make their own informed choice about whether to use them.

19. Technological advances have produced many benefits to society, but responsible use is necessary to avoid further frustration and disconnection in society. Because technology can do many things, does not always mean this is the best method of doing them. Appropriate use of technology, alongside human endeavour to provide the best customer service, may well result in increased employment and improved productivity, rather than viewing the ‘bottom line’ as the sole criteria.

20. £12 trillion of personal & corporate money owed in tax is currently held in Switzerland. If global tax loopholes and systems which allow wealthy individuals and corporations to avoid paying a proportion of their profits were closed, a significant amount of wealth would be released back into society. People who take risks can still get their fair rewards, but should be subject to the same laws as less well-off people and organisations.

21. A further stream of income could be generated if bonuses paid to high earning executives were regulated, paid only on measurably successful performance, and were capped and taxable. Support to business funded by the public purse would mean that bonuses and excessive payments are suspended until the debt has been repaid in full.

22. People in public life are role models. Therefore their conduct should be exemplary and responsibility for any wrong-doing, immoral or unethical behaviour should be taken, rather than ‘spinning’ their way out of it. This would restore trust and confidence in the hearts and minds of the people. Even Plato said this!

23. Reforms of over-regulation to a more common-sense level would reduce our collective paranoia, encourage greater social interaction and freedom of the individual.

24. If we had a true democracy, politicians would recognise that they are part of ‘the people’ and are privileged to be elected to run our society on our behalf. Greater accountability for pre-election promises would encourage honesty and transparency and could restore trust and confidence. An Audit body could monitor governments’ delivery against their promises and the reasons why these promises have been kept or not, so that the public have a more informed choice about who they choose to elect.

Conclusion

It is clear to many people across the world that the current systems in place are not serving the majority of the people as well as they could.

Some of those in positions of power and influence wish for society to remain in this imbalanced state because they have much to gain or because they are so entrenched in current thinking that they cannot conceive another viable way of living.

Others are ready and willing to make a shift in consciousness and paradigms that create a sustainable, fairer and balanced system. This article has covered some of the ways reforms could be made that would shift our priorities from a society based purely on material gain, greed and division, to a society based on responsible and ethical growth, where everyone has the opportunity to play their fair part in maintaining a happy balance. This is true democracy.

Collective working has been proven to work, as is borne out by organisations such as the Co-operative Movement, the Scouts and Guide movements and many, many more.

The choice is down to each of us individually. We have a choice between continuing to be driven by the fear, division, manipulation and greed of the current system or to join together to turn our society round to a more harmonious state.

It all boils down to ethics, our intention and how we express our full human potential in the most positive way. Each of us must be truthful with ourselves in asking how we want to live and what kind of legacy we want to leave for future generations. Do we even care?

Who and what do we serve? Are we here to better the lives of a small wealthy minority or to improve the lot of the greater majority? Do we choose to do things because we can or because we truly feel it’s the ethical and moral thing to do? Are we putting back what we take out of society and the earth?

If we work collectively and with enthusiasm, love and compassion, I for one am willing to give it a try and it is my dearest hope that the majority of people, including those in positions of power and influence, will want to do the same and will be prepared to play their role.

Author: Annie Lawler, Author of “Super Humanity” (to be published in 2012) (In collaboration with Paul Taylor), November 2011

For further information contact: Annie Lawler on 0772 581 8884 or annie@breathingspacetherapies.com

Economy of Kindness

Friday, March 30, 2012

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Friday, March 9, 2012

Time for Solutions to the Global Crisis