Charles Darwin in “The Descent of Man,” first published in 1871.
"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."
"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."
It is high time modern man adapts to the new global reality - if we want to be the 'fittest' and survive. We produce, trade, eat and live in a globally interconnected economy. Therefore our policies and strategies must take care of all people of this planet who live so closely connected. The belief in mere growth of our national economies - in competition with other nations and peoples - will by definition neglect or even destroy the economic life of others: their resources, their markets, their ability to produce and their access to even basic consumption. Even without arms being fired, this is a great world war. This war is raging now, its victims are falling everyday.
Interdependent Economy replaces the outdated goal of mere growth by the aim of keeping all people involved in the cycle of production and consumption. This, then, allows for space to create new policies and programmes. 'Economy' is more than just money and markets. 'Money and markets' is merely one distribution system among others. Voluntary service - in or outside the private household, barter and self-sufficiency are equally valid systems of economy, and so is intervention by government policy. The key is not to choose one and rule out the other, but to apply the most effective system of distribution at the right time, at the right place ... thus maximizing the benefit for the economic life of people in a wide array of different circumstances.
The new homo economicus contributes to the economy in ways that are wholesome and non-exploitative. The new homo economicus demands from his policy-makers policies that allow all people of our planet to participate in the economy - that now is deeply globablly interconnected. The new homo economicus respects the diversity of lifestyles and cultures of economy and abstains from imposing his own system on others. The new homo economicus does not globally invade the market-space of weaker economies, thereby destroying the livelihoods of local people. The new homo economicus does not produce and consume for an abstract belief in more and more without end, but for his natural needs and enjoyments.
Interdependent Economy replaces the outdated goal of mere growth by the aim of keeping all people involved in the cycle of production and consumption. This, then, allows for space to create new policies and programmes. 'Economy' is more than just money and markets. 'Money and markets' is merely one distribution system among others. Voluntary service - in or outside the private household, barter and self-sufficiency are equally valid systems of economy, and so is intervention by government policy. The key is not to choose one and rule out the other, but to apply the most effective system of distribution at the right time, at the right place ... thus maximizing the benefit for the economic life of people in a wide array of different circumstances.
The new homo economicus contributes to the economy in ways that are wholesome and non-exploitative. The new homo economicus demands from his policy-makers policies that allow all people of our planet to participate in the economy - that now is deeply globablly interconnected. The new homo economicus respects the diversity of lifestyles and cultures of economy and abstains from imposing his own system on others. The new homo economicus does not globally invade the market-space of weaker economies, thereby destroying the livelihoods of local people. The new homo economicus does not produce and consume for an abstract belief in more and more without end, but for his natural needs and enjoyments.
We can change the economy when we change ourselves first
- with practical projects: www.maid-projects.org
- by entering on a path of growing awareness: www.god-and-co.org.
