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The Real Wealth of Nations: Caring Economy Tools for Change Makers September 2016 1 The Real Wealth of Nations: Caring Economy Tools for Change Makers INTRODUCTION The Politics and Economics of Partnership vs. Domination Over the last 300 years, in the wake of the industrial revolution during which new technologies destabilized once established beliefs and institutions, one progressive social movement after another has challenged entrenched traditions of domination. • The 18 th century “rights of man” movement challenged the supposedly divinely ordained right of kings to rule their “subjects”. • Feminism, and later the women’s liberation and women’s rights movements, challenged the supposedly divinely ordained right of men to rule women and children in the “castles” of their homes. • The abolitionist and subsequent civil rights and anti-colonial movements challenged another tradition of domination: the supposedly divinely ordained right of a “superior” race to rule over “inferior” ones. • The peace movement challenged the use of force to establish domination among nations, and the more recent movement to stop traditions of violence against women and children challenged the use of violence in family and other intimate relations. • The movements for social and economic justice challenged traditions of top- down control. • The environmental movement challenged the once hallowed “conquest of nature.” The Movement Back to Domination These progressive movements have primarily challenged domination in the “public sphere” of politics and economics, rather than the private sphere of family and other intimate relations – which we today know from neuroscience directly affect nothing less than how our brains develop. Therefore, we have not had the solid foundations for partnership systems. Consequently, domination systems have kept rebuilding themselves in different forms – be it the Nazis in the 20 th century or the so-called religious fundamentalism (which is really domination fundamentalism) in the 21 st . The Real Wealth of Nations by Riane Eisler Dr. Riane Eisler
Transcript of The Real Wealth of Nations: Caring Economy Tools for ... · Wealth of Nations shows us how.” –-...
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
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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
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• 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
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• 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
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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.”
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Currenteconomicmodelstodonottakeintoconsiderationourdailylivesanddonotsolvechronicproblemssuchasenvironmentaldegradation,poverty,andviolence.Thecommondenominatorunderlyingourpersonal,socialandenvironmentalproblemsisalackofcaring.Weneedamodelthatsupportscaringforourselves,forothers,andfortheplanet.Currenteconomicthinkingcausesdistortedviewsandpoliciesbecausewedonotincludeallthefoundationaleconomicsectors.Aneweconomicmapwouldincludethefullspectrumofeconomies:
• Household• Unpaidcommunity• Market• Illegal• Government• Natural
Weareatatippingpointinourplanet’shistorywherefundamentalchangeisneeded.Wecannotcontinuetoexploitandpolluteournaturalenvironmentandexpectlifeasweknowittocontinue.Ourglobaleconomyisrunningatagiganticloss.Povertycontinuestoafflictbillionsofpeople.Itbecomesevidentthatwemustadequatelyvaluecaringandcaregiving. NOTES
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Scarcitythenleadstocompetitionforscrapsbythoseonbottom,whichoftentakesonracial,religious,andethnicovertones,leadingtoscapegoating.Thisservestwofunctions.First,itdividesthoseonthebottombypittingoneagainsttheother.Second,itchannelsfrustrationawayfromthosewhomakethepolicies.Amentalityofscarcityaffectsthewealthyaswellasthepoor,discouragingequitabledistributionbythoseontopoutoffearthattheytoowilldowithout.Habitsofdominationcontinuetothisday,andourtechnologicaldevelopmentsthreatenourentireecosystem.Reportafterreportwarnsthatourpresentcourseisnotsustainable.Yetfailureisnotinevitable!Wecanchangethecourse. NOTES
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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• Buyfromcompanieswhohavecaringpersonnel,consumer,andenvironmentalpolicies• Supportorganizationsthatworkforwomen’sandchildren’srights
ItisuptoustocreatetheconditionsthatsupporttheCaringRevolution!Everyoneofuscandosomethingnow!FromAwarenesstoActionShiftingfromadominationeconomytoapartnershipeconomyispossible!Wheneachofuschangesthewaywethinkandact,weencouragethosearoundustodothesame.Wechangetherulesinourfamilies,ourworkplaces,ourcommunities–andwethenbegintoimpactthewidereconomicandpoliticalarenas.Learnmore:caringeconomy.orgcenterforpartnership.org NOTES
