The New Economic Visionaries
© Lynsey Addario
"Currencies and finances become localized, and the pace of life slows down, allowing time for family and connection to nature."
Leading thinkers unroll their blueprints for a new economy.
"Today, the value of women’s unpaid work is estimated at $11 trillion per year."
We all know that the times call for urgent and drastic changes to our broken global economic system. The question is: How far are we willing to go? Enter women leaders who envision nothing less than sweeping paradigm shifts to our modern-day economic order.
Most of these powerful visionaries have been predicting our current financial collapse and calling for radical systemic changes for decades. These contemporary Cassandras have identified fatal flaws—and huge opportunities—that rarely show up on the balance sheets of traditional economists and world leaders.
As economies collapse, the international community has become increasingly receptive to fresh ideas. The perspectives of these largely unsung authorities—and thousands more like them—may finally get the airing they deserve. If so, we have hope of finding our way toward real economic systems that will flourish and fulfill us all.
Read on to hear from visionaries Riane Eisler, Wahu Kaara, Genevieve Vaughn, Fridah Manenji, Hazel Henderson, and Jacqueline Novogratz. . . .
Comments
This is a wonderful Utopia, but....
In response to Dr. Riane Eisler
This is a wonderful Utopia, but is unattainable as long as those in power, within the executive, legislative and judicial branches are run by greed, nepotism and corruption. In a world where human, civil and constitution rights of citizens are continually and flagrantly infringed upon, with absolutely no accountability.
I am the first to believe and advocate that true change must come from grass-roots efforts in everyday living, but until people change the fundamental way that they think and live their lives then everything else are just peacemeal efforts; band-solutions to gaping wounds.
I do not want to pessimistic,but in over 30 years of travelling around this world observing and listening to those in power, as well as observing the grass-root consequences of their policies, I think I am being practical.
In response to Helena Norberg-Hodge
I total agree that we must move away from the hyper-industrialized societies that we have become. But, I think it unrealistic or even desirable that we return to pre-industrialized societies, but rather find a middle ground where the advantages of industrialization are used rather than abuse, as are the advantages of smaller decentralized social communities.
But, in order for this to be effective we all must change the way we think. That the value of a person is not what he or she produces, but rather what he or she possesses. And, for ANYONE who thinks that this is an exclusivley American phenomenon, all I have to say is "Wake-up and smell the coffee!!!"
I have NEVER know any society where the almighty buck, euro, yen.....does not rule!!!!!!!
In response to Fridah Manenji
In How We Get There - You hit it on the nail. For several reasons. For example:
Macro economic monetary policies which maintain high interests rates may very well attract foreign investors and capital, but they also stifle internal growth. Entrepreneurs within the respective country are faced with high interests rate for economic development, as well as high inflation rates.
Loans to developing countries promote protectionist currency policies by the governments to whom the money is loaned; basically because they do not want to have to pay back $2 for every $1 borrowed. This interns stifles exportation of local products as they are not competitive in the global economics and economic "bubble" which eventually burst. Argentina about 10 years ago is perhaps the most dramatic and global example in recent history, but far from the only one.
Unfortunately, peace meal solutions by governments and govt. organizations, where the right hand never knows what the left hand is during abound in this world.