Denial and Demise

Capitalism is a flawed economic order that is palpably failing humanity. Is it curable? In his book Natural Capitalism, Paul Hawken seeks to give capitalism a makeover by pointing out that it does not meet its own stated intent of free-market economics. However, he points out, if restructured to do so, if certain products and policies were not subsidised, if sustainability costs were factored in, and if future generations were to be considered, most of our harmful actions would be too costly and therefore would not occur.

What we need is an economy that is in service to people; that enables all six and a half billion of us to exchange goods and services to the equitable benefit of all. Under capitalism, ordinary people are in service to the economy, subservient to it or even expendable. Such compliance should only be expected if the economy were truly for the common good; but it isn't. We have the right to demand a fundamental reversal of priority that changes the nature and the purpose of the economy to one that places people and our planet at the hub of life, not pounds and profit. Such a shift would de facto spell the end of capitalism as we know it.

A number of visionaries over the ages have anticipated a new economic order. Marx was badly misinterpreted; Mahatma Gandhi spoke of localised economy, decentralisation, self-organising and self-management; more recently Muhammad Yunus founded the Grameen Bank, the first successful model for microcredit worldwide. Today Bernard Lietaer is one of the leading innovators on the subject of new economic systems. Their contributions are all important. However, the new socio-economic order will be designed neither by one visionary nor by a team of social engineers; nor will it be adopted as a finished product.

It will emerge and evolve from the will and creativity of ordinary people as society as a whole gradually moves towards self-belief and then self-actualisation. At these levels people's tastes become more utilitarian as they no longer have to prove themselves by material or power display. At the same time their vision broadens and their focus turns from self towards the needs of others and the desire to make a contribution to society and all of life. The emerging socio-economic order will be designed for and commensurate with the expression of inclusive, caring and collaborative values.

Sir John Whitmore is a founding partner of Performance Consultants, a business consultancy specialising in coaching and corporate change. www.performanceconsultants.co.uk Resurgence Magazine Online