TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 1

The Real Wealth of Nations: Caring Economy Tools for Change Makers INTRODUCTION ThePoliticsandEconomicsofPartnershipvs.DominationOverthelast300years,inthewakeoftheindustrialrevolutionduringwhichnewtechnologiesdestabilizedonceestablishedbeliefsandinstitutions,oneprogressivesocialmovementafteranotherhaschallengedentrenchedtraditionsofdomination.

• The18thcentury“rightsofman”movementchallengedthesupposedlydivinelyordainedrightofkingstoruletheir“subjects”.

• Feminism,andlaterthewomen’sliberationandwomen’srightsmovements,challengedthesupposedlydivinelyordainedrightofmentorulewomenandchildreninthe“castles”oftheirhomes.

• Theabolitionistandsubsequentcivilrightsandanti-colonialmovementschallengedanothertraditionofdomination:thesupposedlydivinelyordainedrightofa“superior”racetoruleover“inferior”ones.

• Thepeacemovementchallengedtheuseofforcetoestablishdominationamongnations,andthemorerecentmovementtostoptraditionsofviolenceagainstwomenandchildrenchallengedtheuseofviolenceinfamilyandotherintimaterelations.

• Themovementsforsocialandeconomicjusticechallengedtraditionsoftop-downcontrol.

• Theenvironmentalmovementchallengedtheoncehallowed“conquestofnature.”

TheMovementBacktoDominationTheseprogressivemovementshaveprimarilychallengeddominationinthe“publicsphere”ofpoliticsandeconomics,ratherthantheprivatesphereoffamilyandotherintimaterelations–whichwetodayknowfromneurosciencedirectlyaffectnothinglessthanhowourbrainsdevelop.Therefore,wehavenothadthesolidfoundationsforpartnershipsystems.Consequently,dominationsystemshavekeptrebuildingthemselvesindifferentforms–beittheNazisinthe20thcenturyortheso-calledreligiousfundamentalism(whichisreallydominationfundamentalism)inthe21st.

TheRealWealthofNationsbyRianeEisler

Dr.RianeEisler

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 2

Intimesofregressiontodomination,weseecommonpatternssuchas:

• Superior/inferiorrelationsarereinforcedand

valorizedwhetherbetweengenders,races,orreligions,and“others”aredemonizedandblamed.

• Theworldisportrayedasaplacewhereoneeithercontrolsoriscontrolled,andanangry,powerfulleaderisneededtosolveeveryproblem.

• Wearetoldthatinvestmentsintechnologiesofweaponry,prisons,andotherformsofcontroltakeprecedenceoverinvestmentsincaringforpeopleandfornature.

• ReceptivitytorhetoricbasedonfearandhateisstillensuredinsegmentsoftheUSpopulationthroughdomination-orientedfamilynorms,includingabuseandviolenceagainstchildren,whichfuelsstressandfear,wiringbrainsforthepoliticsofdomination/authoritarianism.

• Thistendencyisaggravatedbyanerodedsafetynetthatfurtherfuelsinsecurityandfear.

• Ontopofthis,newtechnologiesthatshortenattentionspansleadyoungpeopletowant“quickfix”answersthatseemtoofferimmediaterelief.

• Sounderlyingproblemsanddynamicsareignored,suchasinadequateinvestmentincaringforandeducatingpeople,startinginearlychildhood,whichdoesnotequippeopleforournewpost-industrialagewhenmanufacturingandotherjobsareincreasinglybeingtakenoverbyautomation,robotics,andtherapidlydevelopingtechnologiesofartificialintelligence.

TheWindowofOpportunityThedislocationofestablishedinstitutionsandbeliefswiththerapidmoveintothepostindustrialageisstirringupfearandinthatsensefuelingregressivemovement.Butatthesametimethesedislocationsprovidetheopportunitytobuildthemissingfoundationsforapartnershipsystem,startingwith4cornerstones:childhoodrelations,genderrelations,stories,andeconomics.Iwillherebrieflyfocusoneconomics.TheEconomicsofDominationorPartnershipTheeconomicanxietiesandhardshipsfacingmanyAmericansarenotjustduetounfairinternationaltradetreaties,exploitivebanks,andthecontrolofwealthbyafewontop,buttouncaringeconomicandbusinesspoliciesandpracticesweinheritedfrommorerigiddominationtimes.TheRealWealthofNationsexaminestheseunderlyingdynamicsandprovides“atemplateforthebetterworldwehavebeensourgentlyseeking,”toquoteArchbishopDesmondTutu’scommentonthebook.

SAMPLECOMMENTSONTHEREALWEALTHOFNATIONS:“TheRealWealthofNationsgivesusatemplateforthebetterworldthatwehavebeensourgentlyseeking.Aspracticalasitishopeful,thisbrilliantbookshowshowwecanbuildeconomicsystemsthatmeetbothourmaterialandspiritualneeds.Itilluminatesthewaytoaboldandexcitingnewfuture.”—ArchbishopDesmondTutu,NobelPeaceLaureate"RianeEislershowsushowtovalueeconomicallywhatisvaluablehumanly—andwhatcouldbemorerevolutionarythanthat?Toimaginemoneynotastherootofallevil,butthemeasureofallgood,readTheRealWorthofNations."—GloriaSteinem“Anessentialtoolforgovernmentleaders,politicians,economists,andeveryonelookingforwaystohaltenvironmentaldestruction,eradicatepoverty,stabilizepopulation,andbuildabetterfuture,TheRealWealthofNationsshowsushowtoconstructasustainableneweconomy–andagoodqualityoflifeforourchildrenandgenerationstocome.”—TheHonorableVigdisFinnbogadóttir,PresidentofIceland1980-1996“ThisbookshouldbemandatoryreadingforeveryCEO,everyeconomist,everygovernmentofficial,everystudent,andeverycitizenofourworld.Initspagesliesnothinglessthantheblueprintfortheworldwemustcreateifhumanityistoeverachievetruejustice,equity,andsustainability.Wecanbethatgreatsociety.TheRealWealthofNationsshowsushow.”–-JeffreyHollender,President,SeventhGeneration,Inc.,author,NaturallyClean“InTheRealWealthofNations,RianeEisler,longavoiceofsanityandclarityinanincreasinglyconfusingworld,doeswhathasbeendesperatelyneededforalongtime:bringbackahuman-andnature-centricperspectivetoeconomicstoshowhowendsandmeanscanbeintegrated.Wehadbettergetthisright,becausetimeisrunningoutongoverningoursocietiesbyrulesandinstitutionsthatlackanyrealsenseofwhattrulymatters.”—PeterSenge,author,TheFifthDiscipline:theArtandPracticeoftheLearningOrganization,Founder,SocietyforOrganizationalLearning,SeniorLecturer,MIT“RianeEislerhasprovidedanaccessible,fascinating,andpersuasiveargumentforacaringperspectiveoneconomics.Brilliant.”—NelNoddings,ProfessorEmeritusofEducation,StanfordUniversity,author,TheChallengetoCareinSchoolsandStartingatHome:CaringandSocialPolicy

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 3

• TheRealWealthofNationsshowsthateconomic

systemsareverydifferentdependingonwhethertheyareembeddedinacultureorientingtothedominationorthepartnershipendofthepartnership/dominationcontinuum.

• Tomoveforwardwehavetogobeyondcapitalism

orsocialismandrightorleft,andrecognizethattheproblemisdominatoreconomics.Longbeforecapitalistbillionairesamassedfortunes,EgyptianpharaohsandChineseemperorshoardedtheirnations’wealth.Indianpotentatesreceivedtributesofsilverandgold,whilelowercasteslivedinabjectpoverty.MiddleEasternwarlordspillaged,plundered,andterrorizedtheirpeople.Europeanfeudallordskilledtheirneighborsandoppressedtheirsubjects.

• Today’scapitalist“trickle-downeconomics”isa

replayofearliertraditionswherethoseonbottommustcontentthemselveswiththescrapsdroppingfromtheopulenttablesofthoseontop.Andthetwomassapplicationsofsocialism,theformerSovietUnionandChina,concentratedeconomiccontrolinthehandsofthoseontop,ruledthroughfearandforce,andhadterriblesocialandenvironmentalimpacts.

• Economicsisbasicallyaboutwhatis,andisnot,

valued–anddominationsystemshaveagenderedsystemofvaluesinwhichwomen,aswellas“feminine”traitsandactivitiessuchascaring,caregiving,andnonviolence,areculturallydevaluedinbothsocialandeconomicpolicy,aswellasinmen,whoaredenigratedas“weak”or“sissies”iftheydisplaythem.

• Tounderstand,andchange,currenteconomic

injusticesanddysfunctions,wehavetorecognizethatbothcapitalismandsocialismcameoutofmorerigiddomination-orientedtimes.

• ForbothAdamSmithandKarlMarx,caringfor

natureandcaringforpeoplewerenotpartoftheeconomicparadigm.Theysawnatureassimplytobeexploited.Forthemtheworkofcaringforpeople,startinginearlychildhood,was“justwomen’swork,”andhence“reproductive”ratherthan“productive”work–asystemofclassificationsstillusedbymosteconomiststoday.

“RianeEislerisoneofthemostimportantandinfluentialthinkersofourtime.InTheRealWealthofNationssheturnsherattentiontotheimportanceofcaringandissuesaclarioncallforcontemporarysocietiestorecognizeandvaluetheessentialcontributionofcaregivingtohumanwell-being.”—DavidC.Korten,authorofTheGreatTurningandWhenCorporationsRuletheWorld“Whyhasconventionaleconomicsbeensoslowtooffercompelling,usefulresponsestoourmostthreateningchallenges,suchasenvironmentaldegradationorraginginequalities?RianeEisleranswersthisquestion,andindoingso,reinventsthedismalscience,infusingitwiththeessentialingredientsitneedstogetusouttheterriblynarrowboxinwhichwe’vebeenstuck.”—JaredBernstein,EconomicPolicyInstitute,AdvisortoVicePresidentJoeBiden,author,AllTogetherNow:CommonSenseforaFairEconomy“Brilliantandinspiring!RianeEislerisoneofthosefewextraordinarypeoplewhoseinsightandabilitytoexpresscomplicatedideasinsimplelanguagehelptherestofustounderstandthehumancondition.TheRealWealthofNationsupdatesthedismalscienceofeconomicstothecomplexrealitiesofthe21stcenturyandpointsthewaytoasustainablefuture.”—MalWarwick,co-author,Values-DrivenBusinessandSocialVentureNetworkBoardChair.“Inherbrilliantnewbook,TheRealWealthofNations,authorRianeEisler(oneofmyheros)hitsthenailrightonthehead.Shepointsoutexactlyhowandwhytheonlysustainableeconomicsystemsarethosethatincludethecostofhumancaringandhappinessinthebottomline.Andbetteryet,sheprovidesuswithpracticalstepstowardimplementingthiscrucialeconomicshift.TheRealWealthofNationsismustreadingforeveryonewhoisinterestedinthehealthofindividuals,families,andourplanet."—ChristianeNorthrup,M.D.authorofWomen'sBodies,Women'sWisdom,TheWisdomofMenopause,andMother-DaughterWisdom.“Inthisbrilliantnewlookateconomicsystemsandhowtheyinteractwithculture,RianeEislerhascreatedwhatissuretobeaclassicand–hopefully–world-changingbook.”—ThomHartmann,author,TheLastHoursofAncientSunlight“Thisbookisanessential,practicalandlovingsurvivalguidetothefuture.Ifwedon’tchangeoureconomicstocaringforallpeoplesandtheplanet,wehavenofuture.I’mgratefulthatRianehasappliedherexperience,wisdomandlovetothisfundamentalreformulationthatwesodesperatelyneed.Maywetakethistoheartandchangewhatwedo.”—MargaretWheatley,author,LeadershipandtheNewScience

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 4

• Thefailuretorecognizethevalueoftheworkofcaringforpeopleandfornaturehasalwayscausedenormoussuffering,butinoureraofgrowingenvironmentaldespoliationanddestructionitisecologicallyunsustainable.

• Aswetodaymoveeverfurtherintothepost-industrialknowledge/serviceage,when

manufacturingandincreasinglyalsoservicejobsarebeingreplacedbyautomation,failuretorecognizethevalueoftheworkofcaringforpeopleisalsoeconomicallyunsustainable.

• Inthistimewhencreative,innovativepeoplewhocanworkinteamsforthecommongoodare

urgentlyneeded,failuretoinvestincaringforpeoplestartinginearlychildhoodiseconomicallysuicidal,sincethequalityofcareandeducationchildrenreceiveiskeytonothinglessthanhowourbrainsdevelop--andhencewilldirectlyimpactourcollectivefuture.

WhatisneededisaCaringEconomicsthatrecognizesthatrealwealthisnotfinancialbutconsistsofthecontributionsofpeopleandofnatureandwhereeconomicpoliciesandpracticessupportcaringforboth.

TheCenterforPartnershipStudies’CaringEconomyCampaignwasinspiredbyTheRealWealthofNations.Itseekstochangeeconomicpoliciesandpracticessothatthey:

• Investinpeoplewhodotheworkofcare• Investinearlychildhood• Relyonnewmeasuresofeconomichealth

TheRealWealthofNationsisavailableattheCenterforPartnershipStudiesbookstore:http://centerforpartnership.org/store/ThefollowingpagesofferadetailedlookattheCaringEconomicsmodel.

RianeEislerDirector,TheCenterforPartnershipStudiesandtheCaringEconomyCampaign

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 5

SUMMARY: CHAPTER ONE WE NEED A NEW ECONOMICS Wecurrentlyliveunderaphilosophyofeconomicsthatoriginatedhundredsofyearsago.Underthecapitalist“invisiblehandofthemarket,”itwasassumedthatprosperitywouldbeguaranteed,andtherewasnorecognitionoftheimportanceofnonmarketeconomicsectors.Socialisteconomictheoryalsofailedtoincludeas“productivework”theworkofcaringforpeopleandnatureperformedinthehouseholdandvolunteereconomicsectors.Todayitisobviousthatthisoldeconomicthinkingisnotworking.TheRealWealthofNationsoffersaframeworkforaneweconomicmodel–acaringeconomicsthatincorporateshumanwelfareandoptimalhumandevelopmentasitskeystone.Acaringorientationincludescaringforchildren,thesick,andtheelderly,caringforemployees,customers,andotherbusinessstakeholders,andwhatEdgarCahncallstheciviclaborofbuildinghealthycommunities,thesociallyjustlaborofprogressivesocialmovements,andtheenvironmentallaborthatpreservesahealthy,naturalenvironmentforourselvesandfuturegenerations.ThebasicpremisebehindTheRealWealthofNationsisthatacaringeconomicsystemisurgentlyneededtopromotehumanwelfareandoptimalhumandevelopment.Basedonourcurrentsituation,weneedanewCaringEconomicplan.Caringeconomicsbenefitsbothpeopleandbusinesses.Concernforemployeesandtheirfamiliestranslatesintoincreasedcompetenceandcollaboration,encouragescreativityandinnovation,contributestotheorganization’scollectivecapacity,andtranslatesintobetterbusiness,community,andglobalrelations.WhatisEconomics?Theterm“economics”hasbothscholarlyandpopularmeanings.Academically,economicsisasocialsciencethatdealswiththeproduction,distribution,consumption,andmanagementofgoodsandservices.Thepopularmeaningisoftenshorthandfordescribingeconomicsystems,policies,andpractices,asin“Americaneconomicsandpolitics.”CurrentEconomicThinkingAccordingtocapitalisteconomictheory,themarketsdeterminevaluethroughsupplyanddemand.Butthistheoryleavesouttwokeypoints.First,economicpracticesoftenartificiallycreatescarcities,artificiallyraisingvalues.Second,demandislargelydeterminedbyculturalbeliefsaboutwhatisvaluable.Thefailureofpresenteconomicpoliciestorecognizethatcaringandcaregivingareintegraltopersonal,economic,ecological,andsocialhealthdirectlyaffectsourlivesandourchildren’sfuture.Massiveeconomicinequitiesexistbecauseourcurrenteconomicsystemfailstofullyvaluecaringandcaregiving,evenwhencareworkisperformedinthemarket.Childcareworkersareonlypaidanaverageof$10anhour,andyetwesay“childrenareourmostimportantasset.”

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 6

Currenteconomicmodelstodonottakeintoconsiderationourdailylivesanddonotsolvechronicproblemssuchasenvironmentaldegradation,poverty,andviolence.Thecommondenominatorunderlyingourpersonal,socialandenvironmentalproblemsisalackofcaring.Weneedamodelthatsupportscaringforourselves,forothers,andfortheplanet.Currenteconomicthinkingcausesdistortedviewsandpoliciesbecausewedonotincludeallthefoundationaleconomicsectors.Aneweconomicmapwouldincludethefullspectrumofeconomies:

• Household• Unpaidcommunity• Market• Illegal• Government• Natural

Weareatatippingpointinourplanet’shistorywherefundamentalchangeisneeded.Wecannotcontinuetoexploitandpolluteournaturalenvironmentandexpectlifeasweknowittocontinue.Ourglobaleconomyisrunningatagiganticloss.Povertycontinuestoafflictbillionsofpeople.Itbecomesevidentthatwemustadequatelyvaluecaringandcaregiving. NOTES

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 7

SUMMARY: CHAPTER TWO ECONOMICS THROUGH A WIDER LENS Thevaluesthatdrivepresenteconomicsystemsarestilluncaring.“Compassionateconservatism”hasledtothereverse:thetopoftheeconomicladdercontinuestohavemorewhilethebottomhasless,andenvironmentalthreatsareignored.ThetwolargeapplicationsofsocialisttheoryinChinaandtheformerSovietUnionhavenotprotectedournaturalenvironmentorchangedtop-downeconomiccontrol.Weneedasystemicapproachthattakesintoaccountthemorecomprehensivesocialandculturalstructureofwhicheconomicsisapart.TheSocialFoundationsofEconomicsEconomicsystemsemergeoutoflargersocial,cultural,andtechnologicalcontext.Aneffectiveeconomicsystemshouldsupporthumanwell-being,advancehumandevelopment,andprotectnature’slife-supportsystems.Socialfactorsshapeandareshapedbyeconomics.Wemustbegintoexamineeconomicsfromanewperspective.Thisrequiresamultidisciplinaryapproachthatsituateseconomicsinthecontextoftwoopposingsocietalstructures:Partnership(mutualrespect)anddomination(top-downcontrol)systems.Tounderstandpartnership,wemustexpandtheeconomicvocabularytoincludecareandcaregiving.OpposingEconomicSocietalStructuresThedominationsystemallowsonlyfordominatingorbeingdominated.Hierarchiesofdominationresultinscarcetrust,hightension,andsystemcohesivenessbasedonfearandforce.Leaderscontrolanddisempower.Tosucceed,adominationsystemsuppressesoratbestrestrictsandcompartmentalizescaringandempathy.Thetop-downdominationsystemisaholdoverfromearlierfeudalandmonarchictimes.Thesesystemsdevaluedcaringworkandcaringandsubordinatedwomen.Males“ranked”overfemales,andsocietallybothgendersvaluedmen/”masculine”overwomen/“feminine.”Incontrast,apartnershipsystemsupportsmutuallyrespectfulandcaringrelations.Hierarchiesofactualizationallowforbi-directionalaccountabilityandrespect,withinputsfromalllevels.Leadersfacilitate,inspire,andempower.Economicpoliciesandpracticessupportbasicsurvival,community,creativity,meaning,andcaring.Thereisequalpartnershipbetweenwomenandmen,andso-calledfemininevaluesandactivitiessuchascaring,caregiving,andnonviolencearehighlyvaluedinbothwomenandmenaswellassocialandeconomicpolicies–supportingtherealizationofourhighesthumanpotentials.Nosocietyisapurepartnershipordominationsystem–it’salwaysamatterofdegree.Buttheextenttowhichasocietyorientstoeitherendofthepartnership/dominationcontinuumdirectlyaffectseveryinstitution–fromthefamilyandreligiontopoliticsandeconomics.TheImperativeforSystemicChangeConventionaleconomicpoliciesandmeasuresarebasedonanincompletemodel.Theyonlyaccountforthreeofthesixsectorsthatformthetotaleconomy.Thefocusisontheformalmarketeconomyandthethreelife-supportsystems(household,unpaidcommunity,andnatural)areomitted.Bycontrast,thecaringeconomicsofthepartnershipsystemisbasedonafullspectrumeconomicmap.

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 8

WhatDoMainstreamEconomicIndicatorsLeaveOut?GNP(grossnationalproduct)andGDP(grossdomesticproduct)leaveoutnon-monetizedand/ornotreportedactivities,whichcompriseahugeproportionofoursocialexchangesystem.Thesewidelyusedindicatorsprovidenoinformationabouthowgoodsandservicesaredistributedorabouthowtraditionaleconomicactivitiesaffectthequalityoflife.Theyalsofailtotakeintoaccountenvironmental,healthandothercostsofmarketactivities,andfailtoincludecaringandcaregivingas“economicallyproductive.”Movingtowardapartnershipsystemwillrequireneweconomicmeasurementsthatadequatelyaddresscaringandcaregiving.SevenStepsTowardaCaringEconomics

1. Recognizehowtheculturaldevaluationofcaringandcaregivinghasnegativelyaffectedeconomictheories,policies,andpractices.

2. Supporttheshiftfromdominatortopartnershipculturalvaluesandeconomicandsocialstructures.

3. Changeeconomicindicatorstogivevaluetocaringandcaregiving.4. Createeconomicinventionsthatsupportandrewardcaringandcaregiving.5. Expandtheeconomicvocabularytoincludecaring,teachcaringeconomicsinbusinessand

economicsschools,andconductgender-specificeconomicresearch.6. Educatechildrenandadultsabouttheimportanceofcaringandcaregiving.7. Showgovernmentandbusinessleadersthebenefitsofpoliciesthatsupportcaringand

caregiving,andworkfortheiradoption. NOTES

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 9

SUMMARY: CHAPTER THREE IT PAYS TO CARE – IN DOLLARS AND CENTS Businesspeopleoftensaytheyneeddollars-and-centsinformationbeforetheytryanythingnew.Sohowcanabusinesspersongetenoughfinancialinformationtojustifytakingasteptowardcaringeconomics?TheHighCostofUncaringBusinessWeseldomrecognizethehighcostofuncaringbusinessbecausethetraditionalmeasuresofproductivitydonotprovidetruedollars-and-centsdata.Fortunately,therearenowcasehistories,statistics,andscientificstudiesthatdemonstratethefinancialbenefitsofinvestingintherealbottomline:thehealthandwelfareofpeople.Ultimately,theRealWealthofNationsliesinthequalityofitshumanandnaturalcapital.Businessactivitiesmustbesociallyaswellasfinanciallyprofitable,andthetwoarefarfrommutuallyexclusive.Currenteconomicmeasurementshidetheenormouseconomiccostsofuncaringbusinesspractices.AlthoughoftenplacedonthepositivesideoftheGNP,thetruecostsofwar,pollution,business-relatedspillsandcontamination,andnaturaldisastersarenegative.ConsiderthecostsoftheExxonValdezcleanupandlossofnaturalresourcesfromthespill.ThinkofthebillionsofdollarsspentontheIraqwar.LookattheeconomicdrainintheaftermathofHurricaneKatrina.Whatreallyarethecostsoftheeffectsofpollution?WhyissomuchmoneyspentonwastefulandinefficientinvestmentinincarcerationbytheU.S.prisonindustry,whenrehabilitationhasbeenshownsoverymuchmoreeffectiveandlesscostly?TheROIofCaringBusinessPracticesBusinesseshavereportedabigreturnoninvestment(ROI)fromcaringbusinesspractices.Companiesreportthatincorporatingcaringpoliciesproducesreducedturnover,lessabsenteeism,increasednumbersofapplicationssubmittedforemployment,lowerovertimecosts,andlowercostsforrecruitmentandtrainingofnewemployees.Employeesalsofeelmorepositiveabouttheirrelationshipwiththeirsupervisors,betterabletoconcentrateatwork,andaremorelikelytostayonthejob.Psychologicalstudiesalsoshowthatwhenpeoplefeelgood–whichtheydowhentheyfeelcaredfor–theyaremoreproductiveandinnovative.Theyarebetternegotiators,getalongbetterwithothers,andaremuchmorecreative.Studiesalsoshowhowcompassionpromotestrust,feltconnections,andpositiveemotions,allofwhichleadtostreamsofactionthatgreatlybenefitorganizations.Fromapurelycost-benefitfinancialperspective,investinginhigh-qualitycareforchildrenisoneofthebestinvestmentsanationcanmake.Supportinggoodparentingbyprovidingnewmotherswithcareafterchildbirthviahomevisitsbyapublichealthnurseorlayhomevisitor,andprovidinghigh-qualitychildcareandpreschoolprogramsresultedinhigherscoresforinfantdevelopment,savingsonmedicalexpenses,lessbusinessabsenteeism,andreducedfamilyviolence.

• Acostbenefitanalysisofhigh-qualitychildcareindicateda200percentreturnoninvestment.• AlthoughU.S.workersspendmoretimeontheirjobsthantheirWestEuropeancounterparts,

theU.S.rankedonlyeighthinGDPannualcompoundgrowthperworker-houramongthethirtynationsthatbelongtotheOrganizationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment(OECD).

• ChildrenintheU.S.aremorelikelytobepoor,toperformpoorlyoninternationalmathandsciencetests,andtohavebabiesasteenagersthanchildreninotherrichWesterncountries.

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 10

CreatingtheCaringWorkEnvironmentWhataresomecaring,financiallysuccessfulcompaniesofferingtheirall-importanthumancapital?Theyareprovidingamoreparticipatorypartnershipmanagementstyle,onsitedaycareforemployees'children,fullyfringedhealthbenefits,andgeneroussickdays.Someevenofferaseven-hourworkday,medicalfacilities,counselingservices,agymwithaswimmingpool,track,twofull-lengthbasketballcourts,work-outroomsandspaceforyoga,outsidefieldsforsoccerandsoftball,anonsitemasseuse,awellnesscoordinator,andlunchservedinacafeteriasochildrencaneatwiththeirparents.Thesecompanieshavefoundthatcaringbusinesspracticesmakesoundeconomicsense.TheRealCostofHealthCareWhiletheaverageU.S.workerearnsmorethanEuropeancounterparts,Americansfacemuchhigherexpensesforessentialservices,suchashealthcare.EventhoughU.S.healthcareisthemostexpensiveintheindustrializedworld,a2005surveyshowsthatthequalityofcareisactuallyworsethanthatoftheothernationsstudied. NOTES

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 11

SUMMARY: CHAPTER FOUR THE ECONOMIC DOUBLE STANDARD TheInvisibilityoftheObviousOften,wecan’tseewhat’sinplainsight:thegenderdoublestandardwe’veinheritedfrommoredomination-orientedtimes,andhowitimpactscustoms,laws,religions,politics,andeconomics.Ashumans,weliveonstories.Andstoriesof“menabovewomen”aretoldtouslongbeforewehavetheabilitytoquestionthem.Bothgendersinheritthisthemeofdevaluationofonehalfofhumanityandanythingassociatedwithwomen.Caringandcaregivingaredevaluedbecausetheyare“justwomen’swork.”Thisdoublestandardhurtseveryone.Forexample,inmanyworldregionsgirlsaregivenlessfoodthanboys.Thisofcoursehasterribleconsequencesforgirlsandwomen.Butitactuallyhasterribleconsequencesforboystoo–andforsociety.Whenwomenhavegrownupmalnourished,alltheirbabies,maleandfemale,arebornlesshealthyphysicallyandmentally.Amale-superior/femaleinferiorviewofhumanityhasstillotherdireconsequencesworldwide.Itleadstothebeliefthatthesubordinationofonegroupoveranotherisnotonlyinevitablebutmoral,reinforcingtheperceptionthatthereareonlytwoalternatives:dominateorbedominated,besuperiororinferior.Andhowcanweseriouslyspeakoffreeanddemocraticsocietiesaslongasthisdoublestandardofdominationofonehalfofhumanityovertheotherhalfismaintained?Thereisanotheroption:partnership.CaringandPartnershipValuingwomenandtheso-calledfeminineisakeycomponentofacaringeconomics.Givingvisibilityandvaluetocaringwon’tsolveallglobalproblems.Butonlyasweleavebehindthegenderdoublestandardthatdevaluescaringcanweshiftfromdominationtopartnershipandcreateacaringeconomicsystem.Theinvisibilityofcaringandcaregivingineconomicindicatorsperpetuatestheeconomicdoublestandard.Somesaycaringcan’tbemeasured,andthereforecan’tbepartofeconomics.Butcaringandcaregivingcanbemeasuredoncewechangeoureconomicindicators.OneexampleisGrossHouseholdProduction+GrossMarketProduction=GrossEconomicProduction(GHP+GMP=GEP).Surveysuniformlyshowthatthemonetaryvalueofunpaidcaringworkisveryhigh.InSwitzerland,a2004studyshowedthatthevalueofunpaidworkequaled40%oftheSwissGDP—andthelargestpartofunpaidworkwasperformedbywomeninthehousehold—withwomencontributingalmosttwo-thirdsofthetotalvalueofallunpaidwork.TheUNreportedtheestimatedvalueofwomen’sunpaidworkis$11trillioneachyear.Little-NotedEffectsoftheEconomicDoubleStandardThepervasivenessofthegendereconomicdoublestandardwasdramaticallydemonstratedinarecentstudyofthedifferencesinpayratesof2178maleandfemalemanagersworkingin512companies

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 12

acrossawidevarietyofindustries.PublishedintheAmericanPsychologicalAssociation’sJournalofAppliedPsychologyitshowedthat:

• Asthepercentageofwomensupervisedincreased,payofbothmaleandfemalemanagersdrops.

• Whenfemalesbecamethemajorityinaworkgroup,bothmaleandfemalemanagerialpaydecreasedsharply.

• Amanagerwhosupervisedagroupmadeupofonlywomenreceivedapproximately$9,000lessannuallythanonewhosupervisedagroupcomprisedof50%women.

ItPaystoChangeTheeconomicdoublestandardhasledtounrealisticassessmentsofeconomicwell-being.Ithasledtoeconomicindicatorsthatobscuretheenormousbenefitssocietyderivesfromtheessentialworkofcaringandcaregiving,whetheritisperformedbymenorwomen.Asimplefact:thequalityoflifeforbothgendersishigherincountrieswherewomenandcaringarevaluedsuchasSweden,Finland,andNorway..Thus,perpetuatingthegenderdoublestandardmakesnosenseatall.Untilwerecognizethegenderdoublestandard,wewillnotbeabletounderstandorchangeourexistingeconomicsystemsandmeasurements.Thegenderdoublestandardcreatestheeconomicdoublestandard,whichisalose-loseforall—men,women,andtheearth.Exposingthisgenderdoublestandardenablesustobuildpartnerism:apartnershipeconomicsystemwherecaringforhumansandtheplanetisacentralcomponent. NOTES

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 13

SUMMARY: CHAPTER FIVE CONNECTING THE DOTS Asintheparableoftheblindmenwhoeachdifferentlyperceivedanelephant,it’snotpossibletounderstandwhatliesbehindourglobalproblemsunlesswetakeintoaccountthewholesystem.Economicsystemsareembeddedinlargersocialsystems.Reexaminingsocialdynamicsthroughtheanalyticallensofthepartnership/dominationcontinuumhelpsusconnectthedots.Itmakesitpossibletoseewhatscientistscallsystemsself-organization:theinteractionsofthecorecomponentsofasystemthatmaintainitsbasiccharacteristics.Thepartnershipsystembringsoutconsciousness,caring,andcreativity.Thedominationsystembringsoutinsensitivity,cruelty,anddestructiveness.Psychologyandneuroscienceshowthatpeople’slifeexperiences,andparticularlytheirearlyrelationships,profoundlyaffectwhichbehaviorsareinhibitedorexpressed.Andanthropologyandsociologyshowthatpeople’slifeexperiencesandrelationshipsarelargelyshapedbytheircultures.CharacteristicsoftheDominationModelDominationsystems,whetherHitler’sGermany(atechnologicallyadvancedwesternrightistsociety),Stalin’sUSSR(asecularleftistsociety),IdiAmin’sUganda(atribaliarsociety),ortheTalibanofAfghanistan(anEasternreligioussociety)haveobviousdifference.Buttheyallsharefourkeycomponents:

• Rigid,topdownrankingsinboththefamilyandthestateortribe(andallinstitutionsinbetween),maintainedthroughphysical,psychological,andeconomiccontrol;

• Highlevelsofabuseandviolence,fromwifeandchildbeatingtopogromsandchronicwarfare’• Rigidrankingofonehalfofhumanityovertheotherhalf,andwiththis,thedevaluationoftraits

andactivitiesassociatedwiththe“inferior”femalehalf;• Beliefsthatpresentdominatingorbeingdominatedasinevitableandmoral,justifying

inequitable,despoticandviolentcultures.Dominatoreconomicsarebasedonrankingsofsuperiorsoverinferiors.Economicdominationismaintainedbyconcentratingcontrolinthehandsofthoseontop.Marketsaredistortedthroughmisleadingadvertising,weakornostandardsforworkingconditions,interferencewithlabor’sbargainingpower,littleornoconsumerprotection,andgovernmentpoliciesthatleavetherichandpowerfulfreetodowhattheywant.Intra-householdeconomicdistributionisalsocontrolledbythemale“headofhousehold”–withwomenhavinglittleornosayinhouseholdspending,eventhoughstudiesshowthatindomination-orientedfamilies/culturesorsubcultures,onedollarinthehandofthemotherbenefitschildren8timesmorethaninthehandsofthefatherbecausemenfeelentitletospendtheirpayondrinking,gambling,andothersuchpursuits.Dominatoreconomicscreateartificialscarcitiesbymisallocationofresourcestothoseincontrol,failuretoinvestinthedevelopmentofchildren’spotentials,andskewedprioritiesthatfavorweaponsandprisonsover“soft”prioritiessuchascaringforpeople.Freedominadominationsystemisoftenacodewordforthoseincontroltousepowerwithoutaccountability.Overthelastdecades,theUShasregressedtowardthedominatormodel.

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 14

CharacteristicsofthePartnershipModelCulturesthatorienttothepartnershipmodelalsotranscendconventionalcategoriesofeast/west,religious/secular,pre-industrial/industrial/postindustrial.Theycanbetribal(Teduray)orhighlytechnologicallydeveloped(Sweden,Norway,Finland).Overthatlast300years,sincethe17thcenturyEuropeanEnlightenment,wehaveseenmovementtowardpartnershipsystems,albeitcounteredbyenormousresistanceandperiodicregressions.Thecorecomponentsofpartnershipsystemsare:

• Democraticandegalitarianstructureisthenorminboththefamilyandtribeorstate,aswellasallinstitutionsinbetween.Parentsarestillresponsibleforchildren,teachersforstudents,managersforworkers,butthereisahugedifferencebetween“hierarchiesofdominationbasedoncontrolandfear”and“hierarchiesofactualizationwhereparents/teachers/managersinspire,supportandempowerratherthandisempowerothers.”

• Abuseandviolencearenotculturallyaccepted,sothereismoretrustandmutualrespect.• Menandwomenenjoyequalpartnership,and“feminine”traitsandactivitiessuchascaregiving

andnonviolencearehighlyvaluedinwomen,men,andsocialpolicy• Culturalbeliefsandstoriesofferamorebalancedandpositiveviewofhumannature.

Anobstacletobuildingpartnership-orientedstructuresisthemisconceptionthatonlydominationstructuresareeconomicallyefficient.Dominatoreconomicsareapyramid,andpartnershipeconomicsare“flatter,”withmoredemocracyandparticipationindecision-making,aswellashierarchiesofactualization.

• Therearestillleadersingovernment,managersinbusiness,teachersinschools,andparentsinfamilies.Infact,therearemoreleadersinpartnershipinstitutions,sincepowerisnotconcentratedatthetop.

• Thereiscompetitioninpartnershipsystems,achievement-orientedcompetition,spurredonbyseeinganother’sexcellence,ratherthanbrutalcompetitiondesignedtohumiliate,destroy,orputanopponentoutofbusinessasinthedominatorsystem.

NOTES

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 15

SUMMARY: CHAPTER SIX THE ECONOMICS OF DOMINATION Itisnotcapitalismthatcausesharm,butrathertheunderlyingdominatorbeliefs,structures,andhabitsthatwe’veinherited.AlthoughwethinkofGreeceasprovidingusademocraticheritage,onlyasmallminorityoftheAthenianGreecepopulationenjoyedthebenefitsoftheirfamousdemocracy.OurBrutalEconomicHeritageAthenianGreecehadatop-downsocialandeconomicstructure.Theireconomywaslargelyhousehold-based,andthosehouseholdswerestructuredinrigidrankingsofdomination.Atheniansheldslaves,andtheheadofthehouseholdcouldpracticelegalinfanticide.Womenandchildrenwerepropertyofmenandhadhardlyanyprotectionunderthelaw.Womenhadnoaccesstoeducation,andweremarriedinchildhoodaspartofeconomictransactionsamongheadsoftheirhouseholds.ConquestofNatureAsnotedbyBrianGriffith,womenweremostlikelytheoriginaltamersofgoatsandsheep.Aspasturesgrewsparser,itbecamethemaleroletotravelfartherandtoprotecttheherdsfromraiders.Men’seconomiccontribution,specificallytheuseofforce,becameprimary,andwomen’sworkassumedasecondaryplace.Asherderstheymovedtowardmorelushpasture,theybegantocovettheirneighbor’swealth.Astheyinvaded,theybroughttheirmethodofdomination.Malecontroloverwomenbecamedraconian.Everythingbecamegearedtoconquestandcontrolofwomen,inferiormen,andtheland.Wealthaccumulatedthroughconquestandtheeliminationofcompetition.Indominatortribalsocieties,chiefsownedmorecattle,wives,andlandthanothermen,thuscreatingadividebetweenhigherandlowerclassesbasedonwealth.InEurope,thesehigherclasseswere“noblemen.”InWesternantiquityandthepre-abolitionistAmericanSouth,slaveswerelegallyboughtandsold.Womenwerelegallydisempoweredanddeprivedoflegal,civilandpropertyrights.Today,ownershipofanotherpersonisalmostuniversallyillegal,yetchildandsexslaveryisstillpracticedinmanypartsoftheworld.Themodernworkplacewasbuilttomeettherequirementsofadominatorsocialorganizationwiththeroleofthemanagertocontrolthoseinsubordinatepositions.Acoreaspectofdominationsystemsisthesubordinationofwomenandanythingstereotypicallyconsidered“feminine.”Womenrepresentastaggering70percentofthe1.3billionpeopleinourworldwholiveinabjectpoverty.Globally,womenearnanaverageoftwo-thirdstothree-fourthsasmuchasmenforthesameworkinthemarketeconomy.IntheUS,women-headedfamiliesarethelowesttieroftheeconomichierarchy,whichmeansthatoneoutoffiveAmericanchildrenlivesinpoverty.CreatingScarcityProbablythemostinefficientanddestructiveaspectofdominatorpolitico-economicsisthatitartificiallyproducesscarcity.Artificialscarcitiesareconstantlycreatedbydominatorpoliticsandeconomiesthroughoverconsumption,wastefulness,exploitation,preparationforwar,andwaritself.Anotherfactorintheartificialproductionofscarcityisthatthe“highqualityhumancapital”neededforthepostindustrialeconomyrequirespoliciesthatsupportgoodcareforchildren.Andindominationsystems,thisisalowpriority,largelybecausechildcareisstereotypicallyconsidered“women’swork”–andisnoteconomicallyvisible.

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 16

Scarcitythenleadstocompetitionforscrapsbythoseonbottom,whichoftentakesonracial,religious,andethnicovertones,leadingtoscapegoating.Thisservestwofunctions.First,itdividesthoseonthebottombypittingoneagainsttheother.Second,itchannelsfrustrationawayfromthosewhomakethepolicies.Amentalityofscarcityaffectsthewealthyaswellasthepoor,discouragingequitabledistributionbythoseontopoutoffearthattheytoowilldowithout.Habitsofdominationcontinuetothisday,andourtechnologicaldevelopmentsthreatenourentireecosystem.Reportafterreportwarnsthatourpresentcourseisnotsustainable.Yetfailureisnotinevitable!Wecanchangethecourse. NOTES

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 17

SUMMARY: CHAPTER SEVEN THE ECONOMICS OF PARTNERSHIP Formostofrecorded(ordominator)history,peoplewerepoorandweretaughttoacceptthisstateas“normal.”FromAristotle’sphilosophyofbeingborntoyourposition,toChristianity’sconceptofsufferingaspunishmentfororiginalsin,povertyhasbeenhistoricallyperceivedasinevitable.Inthemid1700sandwiththestartoftheIndustrialRevolution,thevisionofprogressthroughhumaninteractionwasappliedtoeconomics.Ifproductioncouldbeimproved,theeconomicsystemcouldbeimproved.Ineffortstoimproveproduction,twocompetingsystemsarose:capitalismandsocialism.CapitalismTheso-calledfatherofmoderneconomics,AdamSmithwrotetwoinfluentialtexts.Hisfirstbook,TheoryofMoralSentiments,hasbeenlargelyoverlooked.Hissecondbook,InquiryintotheNatureandCasesofTheWealthofNations,betterknownasWealthofNations,becamethe“bible”ofcapitalism.WhileSmithacceptedthedominatorbeliefthatpeoplewereinherentlyselfish,hedidbelievethathumanscan,anddo,actoutofsentimentforothers,andbelievedaltruismisimportantinfamilies,particularlyforwomen.Smithbelievedthatselfishnesscouldworkforthecommongood,ifonlythemarketwaslefttoregulateproductionandcommercewithoutgovernmentintervention.Smith’santi-governmentstancemustbetakeninhistoricalcontext.WhenSmitharguedagainstgovernmentinterference,hewasindirectlychallengingtheeconomiccontroloftheupperclasses.Atthetime,therich,land-owningupperclasswasthegovernment.Itusurpedthecommonlandsonwhichtheaveragefamilyraisedfood,displacingthousandsandwreakingeconomichavoc.Smithwantedtokeepthegovernment(remember--therich,land-owningupperclass)outofthemarketsbecauseitwasthroughtheircontrolthatmanyterribleconditionswerecreated,andthegovernmentdidnothingtorectifythesituation.Withoutthishistoricalcontext,AdamSmith’swordshavebeenmisinterpretedandhaveresultedincreatingtheexactsystemhewantedtoavoid.Hewouldhaveshudderedtothinkhiseconomictheorywouldbeusedtojustifyrapacityandgreed.SocialismBythe19thcentury,itwasbecomingobviousthatcapitalismdidnotliveuptoSmith’sbeliefinitspotential.Itstillemphasizedindividualacquisitivenessandgreed(profitmotive),reliedonrankings(classstructure)andcontinuedtraditionsofviolence(colonialconquestsandwar).Socialismwasthereactiontothisfailure.Butsocialisttheorystillretaineddominationelementssuchastheuseofviolencetowrestcontrol(theendjustifiesthemeans)andthe“dictatorshipoftheproletariat”totakecontrolNotonlythat,thetwo

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 18

majorapplicationsofsocialism(theformerSovietUnionandChina)wereinrigiddominationorientedcultures.WhentheSovietUnionfell,capitalismseemedto“win”asthemoresuccessfuleconomicsystem.Buttheglobalizationofcapitalismhascreatedmoregapsbetweenhavesandhave-notsworldwide,aswellasveryseriousenvironmentalproblems.PartnerismBothcapitalismandsocialismfailedbecausetheydidnottakeintoaccounttheeconomicandsocialvalueoftheworkofcaringforpeople,startinginearlychildhood,andfornature.Ahealthyeconomyandsocietyrequiresaneconomicsystemthatsupportsoptimalhumandevelopment.Partnerismdoesthat,ensuringthedevelopmentofhighqualityhumancapital,maximizingthehumancapacitiesofallparticipantsinsociety,andrecognizingtheneedtocarefor,ratherthanjustcontrol,nature.CapitalismandSocialismrelegatedthegivingofandcaringforlifeto“reproductivelabor”–andincludedas“productive”labormanyactivitiesthatharmandeventakelife.Oncewerecognizetheimportanceofcaringeconomics,webegintoseethatmanyofoursocialandenvironmentalproblemsarearesultofeconomicpracticesthatpromote,andoftenrequire,alackofcaring.Asthedemandformorecaringstructuresandrulesgrowsworldwide,wecanbegintoreviseeconomicsinwaysthatsupportpositivechangesinalleconomicsectors.StructureofEconomicInstitutionsBusinesses,governmentsandfamiliesarelivingstructures.Theyareheldtogetherbyhabitsofthinkingandactingandbystoriesandrulesthatmoldthesehabits.Constructinganeconomicsystemthatreallyworksforthegreatergoodwilltaketimeandwillrequiretheeffortsofmanypeopleworkingtogether.TomakethetransitiontoPartnerism,wemustbeginbydevelopingcaringinallsectors.Economicstructures,rules,laws,andbeliefsdifferdependingonthedegreetowhichasocietyorientstothepartnershipordominationmodel.Itistimetochangetheeconomicstory,tore-shapetherulesandlawsbychangingthewayswethinkandact.NOTES

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 19

SUMMARY: CHAPTER EIGHT TECHNOLOGY, WORK, AND THE POSTINDUSTRIAL ERA Thetechnologicalrevolutionhascreatedwhatscientistscallthenewtechnologicalconvergence.Biotechnology,nanotechnology,andartificialintelligencecanbewondrousordestructive,dependingonhowweusethesenewtechnologies.Acaringeconomywillensurethattheyareusedtocreateamorehumane,environmentallysustainable,andprosperousworld.Newautomationtechnologiesimpacttheeconomybyeliminatingjobsandcreatingunemployment.Thequestionbecomes,whatdowedowiththesurplusworkpopulationthatwillresultinthewakeofautomation,robotics,andartificialintelligence?Liberaleconomistsproposedaguaranteedannualincometohelpthoseinneed.MiltonFriedmanproposedanegativeincometaxtoprotectlowandnoincomeearners.Butjustdolingoutmoneydoesnotencourageproductivityorcreativity.Nordoesitchangedominationsstructuresandbeliefs.However,linkingagovernmentsupportedguaranteedannualincometosupportingcarework(ofpeopleandnature)wouldaccomplishboththesegoals.WhatisProductiveWork?Weneedtoredefine“productivework”toincludeutilizingouruniquehumancapacitiestocreateamorehumane,healthy,andprosperousworldforourselvesandourchildren.Automatedpostindustrialtechnologiesopenthedoorforredefiningwhatisproductiveworkinwaysthatutilizeouruniquehumancapacitiesforconsciousness,creativity,andcaring.ANewPerspectiveonTechnologyHowweusetechnologydependsonwhetheritisguidedbyanethosofdominationorpartnership.Thesametechnologicaladvancecanleadtoverydifferentapplications,dependingonwhethersocialstructuresandbeliefspromoterelationsofdominationandexploitationorrelationsofmutualbenefitandcaring.Acaringeconomicswouldensurethatuseoftechnologywouldmeetthegoalsofhumandevelopment.Theeconomicsofglobalizationmustgohandinhandwithsocialpolicyintervention,whichpreservesandenhancesthepositiveeffectsofglobalization.Wemustshifttoawayoflivingandmakingalivingthatpromotescaringforhumansandournaturalenvironment.Tradeglobalizationisafactofeconomicpostindustrialism.Theissueiswhetherglobalizationisguidedbyanethosofdominationorpartnership.Themostcriticalissueforourfutureisnottechnological;newtechnologiesarenotgoingtosolveoureconomicproblems.Wehavetofocusnotjustonmaterialtechnologiesbutsocialtechnologies.Themostcriticalissueishowfastwecancomeoutofdenialaboutwhatisactuallyhappeninginourworldandwhatwemustdotoshifttoawayoflivingandmakingalivingthatpromotescaringforhumansandournaturalenvironment.

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 20

SUMMARY: CHAPTER NINEWHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE ARE Ashumans,ourcapacityforcaringisashard-wiredasourcapacityforcrueltyorselfishness—perhapsevenmoreso.Researchshowsthehumansregister“pleasure”intheirbrainneurochemistrywhenengagingincaringbehaviors.Butifwe’reprogrammedtocare,whyhastherebeensolittlecaring?Toanswerthatquestionwemustmovefrombiologytoculture.Culturehasahugepartinshapingourcapacityforcaring.Ifacultureleansheavilytowarddominationsystems,actualorperceivedoptionswillbelimited,andchoiceswilloftenbemadewithlittleornocaringforthoselowerinthepeckingorder.EmbracingMutualismStudiesshowthatthehumanbrainlightsupwithmutualism.Ourpleasurecentersaretriggered.Ifwehavethechoice,wearelikelytochoosereciprocity.StressRearsitsHeadSevereorchronicstresslimitsourinbuilthumancapacityforempathy.Dominatorstructuresartificiallyproducestress—theproductionofstressisameansofimposingandmaintainingrelationsofdominationandsubmission.Stressenculturatesustodenyordisconnectfromempathyandcaring.TheImpactofDominationintheHomeBeingraisedinhomesbasedondominationandsubmissiontendstorestrictpeople’sabilitytobeconsciousofoptionsandalternatives.Thisatmospherealsooftenimpactsthecapacityforempathyandconsciousness,andchildrengrowuptosustainsystems–economic,political,religious,educational–thatreinforcethedominator/dominatedpath.Peoplewhoaschildrenweredependentonabusiveparents,oftenidentifywiththoseincontrol.Thisphenomenonhelpstoexplainwhythepoorandlowermiddleclassoftenvoteforpoliciesthatbenefitthesuperrichandmegacorporations.Comingfromauthoritarianhomes,theylearntoidentifywiththoseincontrolandtodenythattheir“superiors”candowrong.SocialEvolutionManysocialmovementshavebeenchallengingtraditionsofdomination—slowlybutsurelywearemovingtowardspartnership.EvenAdamSmith,thefatherofmoderneconomics,believedthatself-interestwouldbetemperedbyconsiderationforothers.Onceacertainlevelofmaterialaffluenceisreached,morematerialgoodsdon’tseemtomakepeoplehappierandarenosubstitutefortherealsatisfactionofclosefamilyandotherbonds.Thegrowingdesirebymillionsofpeopletochangecustoms,institutions,andpracticesinthepartnershipdirectionisencouraging!Itisourchoice—andwhetherwecollectivelymovetowardpartnerismorremaininadominatormodelofeconomicswilldramaticallyshapethenextonehundredyears–andbeyond.Bythegraceofevolution,wehumansareequippedwithaneurochemistrythatgivesuspleasurewhenwecareforothers–beitforachild,alover,afriend,orapet.Itisthedominatorculturethatinterfereswithourbiologicalimpulsetocare.Learningtoliveinacaringculturewouldallowustorebalanceourselvestoourmorenaturalbiologicalstate.

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 21

SUMMARY: CHAPTER TEN THE CARING REVOLUTION Manyofoureconomichabitsgivelittlevaluetocaringandcaregiving,butasGandhistated,weshouldnotconfusewhatishabitualwithwhatisnormal.Wecanchangehowwethink,feel,andact.Whenasignificantnumberofuschangeourbeliefsandactions,ourculturewillchange.Economicsystemsarehumancreations,andwecanchangethembychangingtherulesandpolicies.Wemustbegintovaluecaringandcaregivingsothatwecanhaveacleanandhealthyenvironment,humaneworkplaces,saferstreets,better-educatedchildren,lovinghomes,andamorepeacefulworld.Wemustchangeeconomicmeasurestobetterreflecttherealitiesofwhatisproductivevs.destructive.Wemustfocusontheroleofwomenintheworld,becausestatisticsshowthatwhenthepowerandstatusofwomenisgreater,soisthegeneralqualityoflife.Thekeyisforwomentoplayanequalroleintheformulationofgovernmentsandbusinesspolicies.Onlythenwillmoremenembracestereotypicallyfemininevaluesandpriorities,suchascaregivingandnonviolence.ACaringRevolutionisaseachange,thecumulativeeffectofalltheripplesflowingfromgivingvisibilityandvaluetothemostimportantworkofcaringandcaregiving.SomeelementsofaCaringRevolution:

• Schoolsoffereducationforgoodparenting.• Governmentshelpfunduniversalhealthcareandhighqualitychildcare• Partnershipeconomicinventionslikeflextime,jobsharing,paidparentalleave,andcaregivertax

creditsgaincurrency.• Menandwomenparticipatemoreequallyinboththeformallaborforceandtheworkof

caregivingathome.• Volunteersreceivereducedtransportationcostsandothercommunitybenefits.• Carefortheelderlyisfacilitatedbyadequatemonetarypensions,includingpensionsforcare

workperformedathome.• Communitycurrenciesandbarteringsystemsprovideadequatevalueforcaregivinginthe

exchangeofservices.• Ascaringbecomesthenorm,Illegaleconomiesbegintoshrinkasthemarketfordrugs,

prostitution,andillegalarmsdeclines.• Caringfortheenvironmentisrecognizedasessentialforeconomichealthandsustainability.• Newtechnologiesreplacethosethatpolluteanddegradeourlifesupportsystems.

HereIsWhatYouCanDo:

• Changetheconversationabouteconomicsandbegintousetheterm“caringeconomics”• Enlistpeopleinpositionsofpowertosupportthecaringrevolution• Electleadersthatbackcaringvaluesandchangethecurrentpoliticallandscape• Informnationalandinternationalleadersofthebenefitsofcaringpolicies• MakepresentationsatmeetingsandconferencesonCaringEconomics• Getbusinessandeconomicschoolstoparticipateintheconversationaboutcaringeconomics• Conductorpromoteresearchontheimpactofgenderrolesandrelationsoneconomics

TheRealWealthofNations:CaringEconomyToolsforChangeMakersSeptember2016 22

• Buyfromcompanieswhohavecaringpersonnel,consumer,andenvironmentalpolicies• Supportorganizationsthatworkforwomen’sandchildren’srights

ItisuptoustocreatetheconditionsthatsupporttheCaringRevolution!Everyoneofuscandosomethingnow!FromAwarenesstoActionShiftingfromadominationeconomytoapartnershipeconomyispossible!Wheneachofuschangesthewaywethinkandact,weencouragethosearoundustodothesame.Wechangetherulesinourfamilies,ourworkplaces,ourcommunities–andwethenbegintoimpactthewidereconomicandpoliticalarenas.Learnmore:caringeconomy.orgcenterforpartnership.org NOTES