Humanism and Rotary - Kor

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. rcarneiro

Translated from Portuguese by Jeongae Lee [email protected]

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Freedom is the most precious value for any humanbeing. Your rotarian leadership enriches and strengthensthe circulation of ideas in these transmillenial times, thusstimulating the free formation of opinions in our association.

Your stature in service to society is a source of pride

and inspiration for all. I hereby send you my warmest andbrotherly congratulations during this Season of good willand joy.

Let us keep in mind this lesson by Nobel prize-winner JoseSaramago in his "Essay on Blindness" those who cansee have a greater responsibility in their community!

During my term as Governor of District 4530 in 2008/09, Isent some texts for the Rotarian Community to ponder,basically proposing that the institution's credibility andplanetary presence, in addition to its usual humanitarianand philanthropic actions, should include in our agendaa discussion on the causes of poverty . Nutrition, health andeducation have been RI Presidents' priorities year afteryear, along with our permanent quest for world peace. Inmy view the challenge we all share is simple: If the causesof poverty and hunger are not defined and resolved, theirstructural consequences will remain and grow in intensity!

This inevitably motivates us to question the basic
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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concepts and models of some thinkers whoshaped capitalism and socialism as we seethem nowadays. For this consideration, please focus yourattention on some basic concepts:

Economics is a science in which all agents aregoverned by the impersonal and inexorable law ofsupply and demand, whenever there is no marketmanipulation; Politics is an art in which the protagonists decideaccording to questionable, circumstantial andpersonalistic human desires.

With these views in mind, let us consider some events ofthe modern world: Two world wars; Race to space human visit to the Moon; Arms race cold war; Carbonization of the energetic matrix; Corruption in parliaments, business and governmentbureaucracies; Invasion of Iraq; Jewish-Palestinian conflict; 11 September/2001 and the new global terrorism.Government, as the Supreme human ethicalcreation, in Hegel's view, should be revised erring isnot tragic, the tragedy resides in not learningfrom error! Whatever the posture adopted in relation tothose events listed above, the villain invariably hasa name and surname: the taxing system this massiveamount of financial resources made available to abureaucratic ruling elite. I have nothing against a legitimateruling elite, if it decides according to the collective will but it seems that decisions usually are madeaccording to a spurious public-private relationship ofpersonal interests around economic power. Thecollective desire, as the sum of individual wishes, manytimes counts the least.


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This is the crux of the problem: if we want to search forworld peace, we must reduce the resources raised by thetax system and increase the resources regulated by themarket. Keynesian Monetarists legitimated the presence of

Government in the economy, in a world destroyed by war.That was like taking an aspirin to relieve a headache butin the medium and long term its results have beendisastrous.

Back to basics economics and politics cannot mix theyare like oil and water and their mixture is potentiallyexplosive.

The escalation of government interference in the economywill not lead anywhere it will only strengthen the growingdictatorship of bureaucracy and of professional politicians it will be the desire of a few, dodgind market laws.

On the other hand, the market competition that we arewitnessing today is like an athletic race: some wellfed and accessing health and education systems arefar ahead; most of the others are left far behind: thefair and decent minimum that can be done is putting themall on the same line of departure, giving equal opportunitiesfor the manifestation of individual talents to benefit societyas a whole.

All my previous texts sought to stimulate meditation and tomotivate solution-finding in the Rotarian quest for worldpeace and for fighting the causes of poverty.

Considering that the market economy alwaysproduces what is profitable and not what is needed,only a new social pact will correct current distortions - anew pact in which the private sector (businessmen and thework force) will take directly to themselves themanagement of nutrition, health and education, freelybuying for real market prices and making themavailable to all employees and families according tothe proposed new social pact, where governmentreduces the corresponding tax charges labor is a

transforming energy process to motivate humans in


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our pursuit of happiness. The lack of equalopportunities led some governments worldwide totake from the strong to give tothe weak, impoverishing the rich to enrich the poor

this robin-hoodian philanthropic view in fact destroystwo of the most powerful driving forces of man:initiative and dignity.Human production is an energy-transforming process. To make it occur, human energybased on nutrition, health and education must be manageda priori, and not as payment for the work performed. Just asa vehicle needs fuel to go, so does a human need nutrition,

health and education to fulfill his god-given role in society.

In return to the texts I sent, some comments that I receivedfrom the Rotarian World were very stimulating.Coming from leaders scattered around the entire planet,they inspired me to share some of these thoughts with all ofyou see below .I therefore stimulate discussing the theme of poverty, not inthe least propelled by pride or vanity : when the subject-matter is food for our children, pride would be the mostinsane and unforgivable capital sin.I was very glad to learn from former President WilfWilkinson that he will take the subject to discussionin the Council of former Presidents of RI. He provedgenerously sensitive to the meaning and depth of myconcerns. I also extend my thanks to EPRIs CliffordDochterman, Bhichai Rattakul and Glenn Estess, for addingtheir rich experience to the consideration of the concerns Ishared with them, given their very positive work done toimprove human practices on this world.

These two comments below were particularly felicitating forme, because they revealed a perfect harmony with mytheses: "Regarding its proposal for the health sector, that

is all that US Democrats have been willing


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for decades -health for all- but the proposal youpresent is neither like the British model, where theState does everything, nor like the Canadian one,where the State pays to private initiative: your

proposal follows a third model, Republican-style,directly by private initiative!"When you thus associate economic profit to the health ofpeople, you will have a tremendously positive impacton the ecological balance of the planet; "If the proposed criterion applies decentralizationof resources from the hands of bureaucrats and

politicians, in order to qualify democracy, then thereare no real democratic societies on the planet,although all call themselves democratic."

Whatever the concept that one may have of democracy,the fate of citizens cannot depend on the virtue oftheir rulers.

Dictatorships or strong regimes are defended only by thosewho would like to be lashing the whip; whenever placed onthe other side, they will stand for democracy emphatically.Comments made by thinkers of the stature ofNayantaraAshok Mahajan, Sakuji Tanaka ,Jeffrey Keahon ;Raffaele Pallotta, and many others I respect for theirknowledge and experience, signal to me that the path Ipropose, innovative as it is, is bound to theproper direction. Comparing the current situation withmy proposal, I came to the conclusion that thecurrent situation is tragically unjust.

Reading the comments made on my ideas bylawyers, professors, economists, businessmen, philosophersand Rotarian leaders from all over this small blue dot in theuniverse, I could see the potential influence of ourassociation and of ideas in its domain, given theforce Rotary radiates because of the quality, diversityand ethics of our fellow-members.


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I do believe that we Rotarians, given our institutionalcredibility and broad composition, can really makethe world more fair and humane as it must be. We havesolid reasons to be proud of Rotary I am sure that our

founder Paul Harris (wherever he is now), is proud of ouractions in these moments. It seems alsoappropriate to recall Platao's assertion "thepunishment for those who do not engage in politics,and call themselves non-political, is to be governedby those inferior to them".Before it is too late, let us turn back to our bestorigins, and progressively correct our society

to build a future of peace, health and excellence forall!

The quest for world peace is inexorably determined bythe progressive reduction of resources in thehands of Governments, to take them to theprivate provision of nutrition, health and educationfor all.May you all have a moment of meditation on the currentsituation, in these moments of universal brotherhood.

May God continue to bless our children!

Ronaldo Campos Carneiro

4530 EDG 2008-09 - December 2009

[email protected]

Below:

1) comments on my texts to ponder;2) Rotarian 4 way test in the Current Crisis;3) Ethics and the Global Crisis.


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EPRI and outstanding RI authoritiescomments

De: Wilfrid Wilkinson[mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: segunda-feira, 6 de julho de 2009 16:25

Para: RonaldoAssunto: RE: Ethics and the Global Crisis

Hello IPDG RonaldoThank you for sharing your article on "Ethics and theGlobal Crisis" I agree that ethical behavior at alllevels of Government and Business is essential if weare ever to have peace.

Rotary, with its emphasis on Vocational Service cancontinue to lead the way. This is why I appointed anR I Vocational Service Committee when I wasPresident. I am told, that this was the firstsuch Committee since 1991. I am pleased to see thatmy successors have continued its existence. It wasalso important that the 2007 Council on Legistlationincluded Ethics as one of the core values of ourorganization.

What I am proposing to my club is that theydistribute your document by e-mail one week beforea designated meeting and then discuss the wholequestion that you raise. Assuming that this provesfruitful I will ask our District Governor to put it onthe Agenda for one of his regularly scheduledmeeting of his President's Club, which meets sevenor eight times year.


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Finally, in my capacity as Chairman of the Past R IPresident annual meeting, held during theInternational Assembly, I will suggest to R IPresident John Kenny that this be one of the items

discussed.

I encourage you to keep up your good work, which ismost important.Kind RegardsWilf

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De: bhichai rattakul[mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: tera-feira, 30 de junho de 2009 01:19Para: [email protected]: RE: Ethics and the Global Crisis

Dear Governor Ronaldo Carneiro,

Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness insending me your view on"Ethics and the GlobalCrisis"

I agree with you that the world and Rotary arefacing one of the most challenging tasks which willnot be easy to overcome, but at least in Rotary wehave to try, and try harder at all levels.

I trust you have had a good and rewarding year asGovernor.

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Bhichai Rattakul


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De: Glenn E. Estess [mailto:[email protected]]

Enviada em: sexta-feira, 7 de maro de 2008 16:18Para: [email protected]: RE: Rotary - Reflections about democracy....I have read your message with interest. It obviouslywould require in-depth reading and study in order tomake intelligent comments or evaluation.I concur with your comments of our having good

reason to be proud of the service accomplishmentsof Rotarians and Rotary Clubs around the world.There is much yet to be accomplished. With morethan 30,000 clubs, there could be 32,000 differentapproaches seeking similar goals.You have a great year of opportunity ahead of you asyou continue your preparation and then serve asDistrict Governor in D-4530 during the year of 2008-

2009.I wish for you and Ivani the very best in the monthsahead.Sincerely,Glenn Estess---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------De: Wilfrid Wilkinson[mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: sbado, 15 de maro de 2008 17:47Para: [email protected]: Ed Futa; Sharon Cyr; Patricia Groenewold;Themistocles PinhoAssunto: RE: Rotary - Reflections aboutdemocracy....Hello DGE Ronaldo


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Thank you for sharing your extensive paper"Reflections about Democracy, Capitalism andSocialism" I did not have time to read it in detail butI have passed it along to our Programs Staff with a

request that they see if there are ways under ourexisting policies as adopted by the "Councils onLegislation" and acted upon by the Board ofDirectors could capture some of your veryhumanitarian and future looking ideas.

I recognize that most RI Boards would not be able tounilaterally introduce your suggested policy ideasbut I agree with you that for billions of people in this

world things are not very fair or just.

I recently returned from your country and had anopportunity meet with both the Governor of SaoPaulo as well as the Mayor of the City. they outlinedmany of their problems including the size of theirpopulations and the the fact that in the city therewere 2.4 million school children in the public schoolsystem. However I did also visit the RioBranco campuses of the school operated by theRotary Club of Sao Paulo Foundation and saw thatfor sixty years Rotarians in your country were tryingto assist in helping the disadvantaged.

I encourage you during your year ad DistrictGovernor to bring together a group of likemindedRotarians who might draft proposals for the 2010COL. As DG you won't have a great deal of time butyour self appointed committee could certainly assist.Proposals, such as you would be presenting, must bereceived by December 31st of this year. It ispossible, that your ideas would not be passed thefirst time they are presented because Our RotaryLegislators often hesitate to adopt new ideas butwhen those ideas are good, they historically doreceive a majority of the votes.

I commend you for your recognition that the current

must change particularly if we are to have a lasting


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peace in our world. Rotary believes that "Peace isPossible" and is devoting countless hours and dollarsto try and make it a reality.Thank you for your contribution.

Wilf Wilkinson

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De: Cliff Dochterman [mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: tera-feira, 11 de maro de 2008 01:53Para: [email protected]: Re: Rotary - Reflections aboutdemocracy....Dear Ronald:It was certainly a pleasure to meet you and your wifeat the Rotary International Assembly in San Diego. Iappreciate your thoughtfulness in sending me a copyof your very interesting treatise on governments andthe economy.

You also raised a very significant question about therole of Rotary International in meeting some of thegreat and serious issues facing the world involvingpoverty, hunger, disease and extremely poorconditions in many parts of the world.

I found your writings very interesting, although I amnot certain that I fully comprehend all of your very

thoughtful ideas. In a perfect world, I am certainthat all Rotarians would wish to eliminate poverty,hunger, sickness, homelessness, low productivityand the other features of the poverty in the world.

Unfortunately, the causes of poverty are extremelyvaried and the solutions are not fully in our control.

Much of the poverty is the result of various leaders

of the world with far different motives thanours. All leaders of nations, cities, and


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organizations are not benevolent, nor concernedabout the conditions of the general population undertheir control or influence.

Far too many are seeking wealth, power andcontrol for their personal benefit.

Other areas of the world reside in poverty becauseof the lack of natural resources or efforts to enhancethe resources which are undeveloped.Some causes of poverty come from cultural,religious, racial and ethnic differences whichfrequently create differences of wealth and poverty.

Many are faced with the lack of basic humanfreedoms or ability or education to improve theirpersonal situations.

The pure demand for personal power and privilegeby some leaders of governments, religions, culturesand resources prevent an adequate distribution ofopportunities, equality of distribution or upwardmobility.

With all of these various conditions, we often wonderwhere Rotary International can best fit and use ourhuman resources and desires to build a bettercommunity and a better world. Is it possible thatRotary can be a positive influence on some the worstconditions of the world?

Rotary is structured to serve humanity, and does notoften have the power to act in changing orinfluencing governments, if the leaders are power-hungry or do not have a real concern for the people.

I am afraid that Rotary would soon cease to exist asa world organization if the organization attempted tochange governments, except as serving as a meansto serve humanity through our activities ofhumanitarian service.


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When we work to meet some of the basic humanneeds of water, food, medicine, shelters, sanitation,disaster aid, education and other similar needs, weare working to eliminate poverty and hopefully build

a better and more peaceful world.At least these are some of my thoughts as I readyour article.I wish you great success in the year ahead.With warmest regards,CliffCliff Dochterman, RI President, 1992-93

[email protected]

De: Bill and Lorna Boyd [mailto: [email protected]]

Enviada em: sexta-feira, 14 de maro de 200822h12minPara: [email protected]: RE: Rotary - Reflections about democracy....Dear Ronaldo, A sweeping analysis but not a task forRotary. We improve the world when we help peopleand I personally believe that we need to keep ourfocus simple. I congratulate you on the work youhave put into your thesis. Regards, Bill-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

De: Nayantara & Ashok Mahajan [mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: sexta-feira, 5 de junho de 2009 06:57Para: RonaldoAssunto: Re: The Quadruple Rotarian Test and theCurrent Crisis

5th June, 2009

Dear Ron,


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Greetings.

Hope you find this in the best of your health and

good wishes.

Thank you very much for mailing me your thoughts

on The Quadruple Rotarian Test and the Current

Crisis which I have gone through verbatim. I do

appreciate your feelings, your thoughts and your

deep rooted emotions.

I liked when you said Before it is too late, let us go

back to our best origins to progressively correct our

establishment and build a future of peace, health

and excellence for all Indeed, this is the need of

the hour and we the Rotarians will have to put our

right foot forward.

I can assure you Ron, with your permission, I will

certainly use some of the points of your speech in my

future communications.

I hope I have your permission to do so.

Well said Ron! We need Rotarians like you to

achieve our lofty goal of world Peace.

With personal regards,

ASHOK

Trustee, The Rotary Foundation (2009-13)

Director, Rotary International (2007-09)


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Smile, Serve, Sacrifice, Satisfy

www.ashokmahajan.com

De: sakujitanaka [mailto: [email protected]]Enviada em: tera-feira, 11 de maro de 2008 03:43Para: [email protected]: Re: Rotary - Reflections aboutdemocracy....Dear Ronaldo,Greetings from Japan.Thank you for your e-mail along with academicthesis. I think this is wonderful ideas, but I am sorrythat I can't send you my comments at the presenttime.I pray for continued health and prosperity for youand your family. Thank you again.Sincerely,Sakuji Tanaka

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De: Jeffrey keahon [mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: sexta-feira, 27 de fevereiro de 2009

13h04minPara: RonaldoAssunto: Re: Rotary and international crisis

Dear Ronaldo Carneiro,I have finally read your address. I enjoyed it. It wasthought provoking.

My Degree is in Philosophy. I do enjoy "interpreting"the world rather than transforming it.
http://www.ashokmahajan.com/http://www.ashokmahajan.com/


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I am motivated by opportunities to be useful. I have,as you, 123 days left to be useful as a DistrictGovernor. I am not motivated by grand schemes of

change. I believe that there is much in Marxistthought that is useful in interpreting the "modernworld". While I do not think that the rich should beimpoverished I believe that people like BernardMadoff who stole 50 Billion dollars worth of investorsmoney and who has as yet not spent one day in jailshould be severely punished for his criminality.While I am fascinated by the big picture of human

history, I choose to act in a "smaller field". Right nowthat field is District 7210.One of the values of Rotary is that it does allow youto act on the "world Stage" should you choose to. Aperfect example is Polio Plus or The Peace Scholars.

In any event , I hope your year is successful in termsof how you define success and that you continue tolook at "the Big Picture".

Rotarily,Jeffrey KeahonDistrict Governor 2008-2009District 7210"The Heart of the Hudson River Valley"

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De: [email protected][mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: quinta-feira, 5 de fevereiro de 2009

20:57


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Para: [email protected]: Re: Rotary and international crisisBRAVO!! My fellow Governor Ronaldo Carniero!

Thank you for sharing your ideas with us!Every day lately I live in fear that our nobleexperiment called America that has survived over200 glorious years has fallen into the hands ofsocialism and will ultimately fail as a democraticsociety.

It grieves my heart to say these words but in myheart I feel that this is our destiny.Your message is clear and I applaud your insight andvision! My faith, as yours, is restored when I think ofthe good work of Rotarians throughout our world andhow this great organization has brought us alltogether. I regret that we did not have occasion tomeet at the International Assembly last year as Iwould have enjoyed speaking with you.

Perhaps our paths will cross again in Birmingham,England or Montreal, Canada but regardless of whereit will be, I will look forward to making youracquaintance.Sincerely yours in Rotary service,Ronald F. Richards, CFPDistrict Governor 2008-09District 6940Florida, USA

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De: Raffaele Pallotta [mailto: [email protected]]Enviada em: quarta-feira, 12 de maro de 2008 15:30Para: [email protected]

Assunto: Re: Rotary - Reflections about democracy....


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Dear Ronaldo,I thank you for the mail that you have sent me.I am very concordant with what you say and I have

founded all of my life of Rotarian upon the conceptsthat you express very well in your interesting thesis.

You now have the gratifying and difficultyassignment to govern your district and me I imploreto want that you to address the activity of your clubsaccording to the healthy principles that you have.

The Rotary of the whole world to you will be

thankful.A dear affectionate wish of Good Job from yourItalian friend. Raffaele

De: Sergio Tripi [mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: segunda-feira, 6 de julho de 2009 06:45Para: RonaldoAssunto: Re: The Rotarian four-way Test and theCurrent Crisis

Dear Ronaldo,Thank you for your very meaningful and timelyreflections, that once again testify man's ability torationalize, understand and renew the general pathto the common good.I think your point of observation, .i.e. theperspective of liking or not certain high caliberpersons as new members of our Rotary, is a freshnew perspective that poses in practical terms thekind of contribution we all would welcome in order torecognize and support the progress we strive for.To the outstanding people you mention - some ofwhom I do not know so well to express an opinion,

like Regan for instance - I would certainly add Barack


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Obama, who has been elected by the real 'voice ofthe people' for his vision of the common goodbased on unity in diversity and on sharing.

As to the basic distortions that account for thepresent crisis, you rightly place an emphasis on'capital without productive work', which I fully agreeon. But I would also emphasize strongly the root forthat, i.e. sheer greed. Which can be exposed to by anenlightened public opinion, the only social force, Ithink, capable of opposing those threats and offostering opposite trends based on atrue responsibility for the common good.

Sincerely,Sergio Tripi

De: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: sbado, 20 de dezembro de 200806h48minPara: [email protected]: AW: Rotary and International Crisis

Dear Rotarian Friend,

Many thanks for these outstanding reflektions. Iagree with You!Merry Christmas and an Happy New Year with Peacein the WorldHansjorg Melchior

Hansjoerg MelchiorDG 1820 - 2008/09Terrasse 15 / D-34117 KasselTel: +49 561 771407Fax: +49 561 [email protected]


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De:[email protected][mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: sbado, 7 de fevereiro de 2009 15:58Para: Ronaldo

Assunto: Re: Rotary and international crisisDear Governor Ronaldo,Thank you for your messages and your greatconcern about the greatdifferences we have in this world about poverty,health and education.I agree that we have to work at it worldwide in

cooperation with the United Nations, the NGO's , theService-Organizations like Rotary and of course withthe participation of private persons.Only when we work together and we have highmoral and ethic standards we can improve andrealize good and useful things.The financial crisis we now have in every part of theworld is caused bythe greedeness of to many people.Let us share our richness with those who have solittle.Rotary Greetings and all the best,Joost Hoffscholte, DG. 1580

De: Leif Nordenstorm [mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: sexta-feira, 20 de maro de 2009 04:24Para: 'Ronaldo'Assunto: SV: World Awareness

Dear Ronaldo,Thank you for your letter. Yes, your reflections are

very important. It is important that Rotary isnt onlya club for people, who would like to meet each other,
mailto:[email protected]:%5Bmailto:[email protected]%5Dmailto:[email protected]:%5Bmailto:[email protected]%5D


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I think one would be blind not to see thatyour writing reflects the feeling and belief we allshare, that is that we must go beyond the presentschemes and focus on what needs to be re-

addressed in the human life: values, ethics,behaviors, expectations, commitments, readiness tohelp, to heal, to share... As to the Bretton Woodsagreements, it is appropriate we bear in mind theywere written in a very different period of our history,almost for a different kind of men who had notbrought yet their greed to the extremeconsequences of the past two decades.

Regards,Sergio Tripi

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De: John Pike [mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: domingo, 20 de dezembro de 200908:40Para: Ronaldo CarneiroAssunto: Re: Humanism and Rotary

Good morning Ronaldo. Thank you for your excellentmessage. I share this with you and this will bereflected in 'Rotary Today' in 2010. I also thank youfor your good wishes at this festive season, and inreturn, I wish you and your family a happy andpeaceful Christmas. You are many miles away andyet we share in the same ideals. With such a strongmessage I hope to hear from you again. Regards JohnPike, Editor, 'Rotary Today'.

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De: Ulrich Baberg [mailto:[email protected]]

Enviada em: tera-feira, 31 de dezembro de 200221:26


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Para: 'Ronaldo Carneiro'Assunto: Rotary: Christmas Greetings

Dear Ronaldo,

thank you for your christmas Greetings and yourmost interesting letter with the perfect translation inGerman language. I agree with you , for the multi-district of all German speaking Governors 2007/2008work on this questions since two years. In two weekswe meet at a workshop with important members ofthe German churches, Public and Politik (www.seminar-1960.de ).I wish you, your family, your friend, your Rotary club

and all Rotarians of your District a merry christmasand a happy New Year.Sincerely yoursPDG Ulrich Baberg, District 1900Ulrich BabergAm Ramsberg 2358509 LdenscheidTel: 02351 23321Germany

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De: sakuji tanaka [mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: tera-feira, 22 de dezembro de 200923:01Para: Ronaldo CarneiroAssunto: Re: Humanism and Rotary

Dear PDG Ronaldo,Thank you for your e-mail. Much inspiration can bedrawn from it.It is encouraging to know that we have someone ofyour intellectual stature in our midst.Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and aHappy New Year.

Warmest Regards,
http://www.seminar-1960.de/http://www.seminar-1960.de/


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Sakuji

De: Dr. Peter Iblher[mailto:[email protected]]Enviada em: tera-feira, 22 de dezembro de 200920:25Para: Ronaldo CarneiroAssunto: Re: Humanism and Rotary

Dear Ronaldo,

thank you for the essay you sent as a perspectiveto the new year Itis something to consider during the quiet days untilthe turn of theyear.

Thank you very much and all the best to yourwhole family andespecially yourself in and out of Rotary.

Peter

Dr. Peter IblherRC Nrnberg-ReichswaldPDG 2008/09 RI 1880peter.iblher@rotary1880.org--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regards from Brazil. Im sending below, with thepurpose of inspiring your meditation, my speech made on

April, 30th , 2009 in Pirenpolis State of Goias, Brazil, at


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the opening session of the 54th District Conference. Yourcomments will be welcome. Sincerely, Ronaldo Carneiro -

4530 DG 2008-9 - [email protected].

Obs.: Text available in several languages.

The Rotarian Four Way Test and the Current

Crisis

In my meditation on the major goal of Rotary, this formidable

institution with about 33,000 clubs in 208 countries, constantly searching

for peace in the world, I questioned myself: which personality deserves therecognition of my generation? About 3 decades ago, this world lived an

absurd competition - human folly had created conditions for the self-

destruction of all forms of human life on Earth - the arms race where two

superpowers, with ever-growing budgets, searched for domination by force.

Then the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev - quit the competition.

For those idolizing the competition for selfish purposes, he had lost

the battle, but for us, rotarians and humanists, this leader took a giant step

towards "dtente" and possible understanding. Each planetary citizen oweshim very much and I understand that Rotary, as a global institution

endowed with responsibility for Mankind in each society we belong to,

should promote - mirroring the Nobel Peace Prize already granted to

Mikhail - some recognition for his outstanding services rendered to the

global humanitarian cause.

Of course one must stress the expressive and dynamic leaderships of

that time, that stimulated the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989: Pope John

Paul II, who entertained a private meeting with Gorbachev just before the

fall of that wall - I wish I had been a fly, listening to the advices of this

Polish citizen, who saw during his youth the atrocities of communism in

Poland and was sensitive to the vast social exclusion that had resulted from

capitalism as well, in the parallel historic moment. Ronald Reagan, leader

of the opposing superpower, at the beginning of his first term defined his

concept: "Government cannot help us solve problems; Government is the

problem".

I also pondered the rotarian presidential concerns: nutrition, health

and education, as well as the creative and future-minded thinkers whomolded the world we live in today. Who among these thinkers could be


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invited to join a rotarian club? And which of them would be excluded by

rotarian values? I would proudly welcome, in my own club, Adam Smith,

the Scottish Professor of Ethics and Moral who lived in the second half of

the 18th Century. Not only for his masterpiece, "An Essay Concerning the

Nature and Causes of The Wealth of Nations", but mainly for his little-known book that was the philosophical, ethical and moral bedrock for his

thought: "A Theory of Moral Feelings", of 1759.

The polemic and fertile humanist thinker Karl Marx, an icon of

socialism and probably the least understood of our thinkers [he died in

1883 and the Soviet Revolution occurred in 1917]. Never so many

speculated so much about his intentions as recently. In his name abhorent

acts were commited, by fanatics hallucinated by power. One must

dessacralize his work. Many were sensible enough to recognize errors in

capitalism, but they acted as marxist priests, burning incense to their demi-

god.

The fact is that Marx focused much of his analysis on a critical

approach to capitalism and did not much explain the operationalization of

socialism! One can divide his thought into two ample phases: the young

Karl and the old Marx. I Would be much pleased to have the young Marx

in my rotarian Club. His conceptual criticism of human labor in capitalism

has never been contested: "Upon selling his labor [and the worker is forced

to do it in the current regime], he yields to the capitalist the right to expoitthis force, but within certain rational limits. He sells his labor to keep it

sound, save for the natural wear and tear of passing years, but not to have it

destroyed."

In another passage, Marx stresses: "The man who does not have any

free time and whose life, except for the purely physical interruptions of

sleep, meals, etc., is all absorbed by his work for the capitalist, is less than

a beast of burden. He is a simple machine, physiclly wrecked and

spiritually animalized to produce alien riches."

These two icons of western thought, who had deep and broad socio-

anthropological repercussions for Humanity, were followed by the General

Theory of John Maynard Keynes. One must recognize that the monetarist

proposals were conceived in a post-1929 crisis and discussed in Bretton

Woods in 1944, in a world where Europe had been destroyed by World

War II. Though recognized in its time, in the long run the Keynesian theory

proved to be a disaster. After 64 years of practical application, this

economic formulation exposed stagflation as its best result: a compromisesolution between unemployment and inflation. An offence to human


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intelligence.

By enthronizing government in the economy, that is, by replacing the

inexorable and impersonal law of supply and demand by the questionable

and personalist aegis of human will, Adam Smith and all responsiblethinkers must have revolved in their tombs, trying to understand the

obscene inconsequences of the Keynesian theory.

I blame the monetarist theory for the vast social exclusion

disseminated all over the world and for all the armed conflicts too: many

resources in the hands of a few, to decide according to human will is anti-

democratic by definition! And children are lacking food and minimal

comfort! Keynes made a heresy possible. It will not resist the Rotarian four

way test. I would not feel comfortable in a rotarian club, in the presence of

this gentleman: his followers were even more irresponsible and

inconsequent. They created a vicious circle in the economic process: capital

generation without productive labor. They built castles in the air, which are

crumbling in the deep and widespread crisis the world now assists. Before

it is too late, let us go back to our best origins to progressively correct our

establishment and build a future of peace, health and excellence for all.

May God bless our children, one by one, in each nation.

Ronaldo Carneiro - 4530 DG - 2008-09 - [email protected]

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We are now finishing this beautiful trip through our rotarian year.

This is my last text as governor of district 4530 in Brazil. It presents a

proposition for a new world, more fair and human and free from conflict,

where peace will finally prevail. These ideas are sent to you for your

consideration, because I esteem you are sensitive to them, as a rotarian.

It is my understanding that our institution can include after-crisis


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attitudes in its world agenda, to be broadly discussed. As our thinker said:

"Philosophers limited themselves to interpreting the world; it is now

necessary to transform it accordingly". Force is the weapon of

incompetence, whereas intelligence is the instrument of the sensible.Whatever cannot be improved by intelligence, will never be transformed by

force.

Contemporary Man is homo sapiens, according to the classification

of anthropologist Linneu, and we can only thus call ourselves in Latin. We

managed to co-create superb technologies in some sectors of our society

and are toddling to define proper rules of coexistence for ourselves.

There are solutions, however, if we become aware of the fact that the

hottest places in hell are reserved for the undefined, the passive and theopportunist.

The world assists today, between perplex and impotent, the

supremacy and domination of the class of bureaucrats, because the practical

evolution of capitalist and socialist models tend to converge inevitably to

authoritarian regimes. That is to say, the inequality of opportunities under

the rules of human interaction has been generating a terrible process of

domination and of human bondage: the dictatorship of bureaucrats.

I am certain that your group within Rotary has much to contribute for

the discussion of the ideas contained in my text below. I hereby authorize

each rotarian reader to use the concepts and values herein exposed with no

mention of authorship - the least important. An author is a mortal human

being, like all others: neither better, nor worse, but in my case, determined

to create conditions for the equality of opportunities for all, especially for

all children who did not ask to come to this world.

In case you agree with the ideas here considered, it would very much

please me if you tried to discuss this proposition in your rotarian club, inyour office, in your family, or even send it for people in your community

who show interest in the matter. We need concrete actions, I think, to

disseminate and make possible this proposition. In case you disagree,

please just delete it and forgive me for invading your computer with a good

intention. But please do not forget that "It was granted to us the task of

maintainng order and decency on our small and cozy world." This was the

message of our inspired Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International -

during the Convention of 1935 in Mexico. At the Convention of 1921 in

Edimburg, Scotland, he had stated: "Much has been said since thebeginning of civilization. In my view, however, if there exists a quality


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distinguishing Rotary from other organizations, it is our capacity to act."

Never forget we are discussing about the plate of food required by

millions of children all over the world.

With Ivani's and my best wishes,

Ronaldo Carneiro 4530 DG 2008-9, [email protected]

Ethics and the Global Crisis

What do we rotarians have to do with the global crisis? What is the

role that Rotary must play in this context?

It is certainly prudent not to bring to discussion, in the rotarian

milieu, matters that divide us, such as partisan politics, religion,

etc. Nevertheless, whenever the subject involves presidential mentions, I

understand that we are forced to adopt a consistent posture - we have

values to defend and to explain to the communities we belong to. To searchfor the causes of poverty, without ideological divisions, or to abandon the

doubtful logic of stratified ideas, so as to replace them by the unvarying

logics of life everlasting is, yes, a task for Rotary. If we cannot or will not

stand for our values, then what is the purpose and meaning of our

institution?

The world now assists, between perplexed and impotent, scandals in

our parliaments and in the bureaucracy of our governments - the matter is:

will we change anything by simply replacing the powerful on duty?

The truth is that this curious biped, the human being, has been

catechized since the times of Moses and later, 4000 years ago, since

Melchizedek and Patriarch Abraham, who originated the 3 main

monotheistic religions, but selfishness seems to have prevail. This is not a

grief-stricken complaint, but a matter of fact. If only everyone obeyed the

religious Commandments, human coexistence would be made really

felicitating. Our problem is of a systemic nature and it is urgent to protect

this enormous amount of financial resources from frail human will.

Rotary is not, definitely, a charitable institution only, no matter how


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proud we may be of the thousands of humanitarian projects conceived and

developed by rotarians around the Earth. I think we are the conscience of

each community, trying to rescue the values dear to our founders.

Discussing the global crisis is, above all, a necessary ethicalexercise: comparing the invariable market economy with the questionable

and vulnerable command economy.

The presence of government in the economy revealed itself as

necessary, only because we have three economic sectors that cannot work

alone: agriculture, health and education. All governments, around this blue

dot, must somehow stimulate these sectors so as to make them properly

operational.

This seems surprising, but these are exactly the three areas in whichgovernment intervention is legitimate, in addition to the infra-structural

domain, such as road and bridge-building and maintenance, water supply

and residue treatment. All other interventions by the government

result from the inequality of opportunities so evident among us.

As an irony of sorts, these three sectors are exactly those that may

determine an equality of opportunities for planetary citizenry: people need

to eat every day and to have access to the health and educational

systems. Market Economies Will Produce Profitable Goods andServices, Not Products Needed. The unforgettable Dame of european

economy, Joan Robinson, identified this paradox very clearly, but she did

not present a solution at that time.

This paradox of western capitalism can only be overcome with a new

social pact, where labor is viewed as a process of transformation of human

energy into physical or intellectual energy for the good of the broad

community. For this transformation to occur, one must ensure food, health

services and education to all workers and their families. This is a "sine qua

non" condition for the economy to have real human labor. It means

recognizing that hunger and disease do not vary according to the market:

they are biological needs, in tune with the logics of life.

Nobody is born to live from charity and we shall not strenghthen the

weak at the cost of weakening the strong. All can spiral up in balance, I am

certain. This appeal is not of an emotional-philanthropic nature, but the

only way to minimize governmental presence in the economic process.

Once more we are dealing with ethics: this is an acknowledgement of

problems in human nature. We must evaluate Creation, so as to understandthe Creator. These 3 sectors: food, health and education are interdependent,


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non-accumulative and independent from human will. They are pre-

requisites for staying alive. Just as the vehicle that needs combustion fuel,

the human body needs food and health in order to study and work and

engage in progress to perfection.

This can be seen as a volunteer public-private agreement, in

which private initiative takes these social responsibilities when it

purchases what we mentioned, for free market prices. To close the

equation, it is evident that the government will reduce all taxes referring to

these new social responsibilities taken by the entrepreneurial sector.

Governments can thus withdraw from the economy, because

agriculture, health and education become self-propelled. Let us name as

Humanism this new regime, in relation to capitalism and socialism, andthen analyse the deep changes that can be brought in. In a free economy

with the government out of the market, we shall have full productive

employment. This generation and many others that came before, do not

know what this means. Salaries will tend to go up naturally, according to

market forces and it will not be necessary to establish a minimum wage.

All economic equations will invert themselves, inflation will vanish and

armed conflicts will be made impracticable.

Universal voting will qualify democratic societies among us - freeand sovereign voting, but with a healthy deconcentration of resources under

the control of government bureaucrats. We will be very close, in many

aspects, to the conditions prevailing at the beginning of the XIX century, as

predicted by Adam Smith, but incorporating the uncontested criticism

made by the young Karl Marx - the working force must be preserved and

not worn out or destroyed.

Here we come once more to the domain of ethics. Those two thinkers

are classic, that is, their work is like a Beethoven symphony or a statue by

Michelangelo. The excellence of their work is not time-dated: they are of

perennial value. They will be appreciated in a thousand years, so our

mention of the two thinkers who influenced our recent civilizational

advancement comes not out of an extemporaneous cult of the past, but out

of the yearning to expose and value ethics in a pure condition in

contemporary society.

In this way we will make honestly aplicable the well-meaning and

highly inspired collective decisions adopted in the United Nations

Organization, mainly the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, theDeclaration of the Rights of Children and Teenagers, as well as the Goals


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for the Millenium. They beautifully revealed a consensus founded on ideas

shared sacredly, but we seem to have forgotten to determine who really

pays for the bill!!!

Let us not be fooled. Current models of human interaction, as they

are, tend to converge to an inevitable totalitarian state. I would dare try to

complete the call of Marx, saying: "Workers and bourgeois of all the world,

unite!" In the name of ethics, we cannot allow the class of government

bureaucrats and some unethical professional politicians monopolize the

supremacy and control of societies. Human will must not prevail over the

invariable and impersonal market economy. Each one must have enough

for his biological needs and afterward, according to their capacity."

In this way our rotarian work shall be reduced, dear colleague, andwe will be able to dedicatedly integrate our communities' conscience,

instead of limiting ourselves to philanthropy and charity. This is my

contribution to take the matter to the rotarian agenda.

It s my understanding that this must be exhaustively discussed, given

the importance of these ideas and the deep consequences they may have in

these challenging moments of correction. George Bernard Shaw, the bright

Irish thinker pontified: "No one is entitled to enjoy happiness without

creating it, neither to consume wealth without producing it." Each childcoming to this world shall be welcomed with solutions for its future, not

hindered by problems we have not agreed upon to solve. Each one of them

will once again come as a divine blessing.

Let us celebrate life!!!

Ronaldo Carneiro 4530 DG - 2008-9 - [email protected]

Humanism and Rotary - Kor

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