Thu, 10 Jun 2004

A radical look at economics

STROUD (NNA) - An introductory weekend to associative economics will take place from 25 – 27 June in Stroud, England. Hosted by Talking Economics, it will consist of two public evening lectures looking at the future of money and the corporation entitled “Getting to Grips with Globalisation”, and of the “Colours of Money” seminar during the day.

With an emphasis on practical change, the “Colours of Money” seminar is a chance to explore life beyond the market. It is based on a radical and yet enjoyable approach to money that, among other things, explores the evolution of accounting as an essential tool for raising consciousness and for bringing about change in contemporary economic life. Whether as individuals or on behalf of organisations, and whether in for-profit or not-for-profit contexts, attendance is open to anyone interested in understanding better the significance of modern economic events and seeking ways of making practicable change.

The first of the two lectures, “The Future of Money - Localising a Global Problem”, will consider to what extent today’s global financial system is accessible to the questions and actions of concerned individuals. So much debt; so little money for new initiatives – why is there such a dearth of capital? Is it all down to banks and shadowy figures, or is there a role for the person-in-the-street? Money issue, credit creation, seignorage, gold – how can these issues be made less abstract, more brought within our grasp?

The second lecture will consider “The Corporation – Friend or Foe of Humanity?” Nowadays, the corporation (or company) comes in for a lot of criticism. Ignorance of its nature and abuse of its position have resulted in a growing perception of the corporation as a footloose abstraction that works against humanity. What, though, really lies behind the development of the modern company and can it play a role in addressing the monetary and financial uncertainty by which we are increasingly dogged? Understood afresh, can companies become the basis for “citizenised” money?

Associative Economics

Associative economics is a non-partisan approach to the wide and divergent range of thought currently informing modern debates, including, perhaps uniquely, the ideas of Rudolf Steiner. Associative economics seeks to open up a new path into a new landscape. A new path that begins with taking responsibility for our economic actions; a new landscape in which human beings collaborate rather than compete in order to best serve humanity.

Associative economics is about moving from narrow to enlarged egoism and about seeing individuals, not market forces, as the true agents of change. Working together on behalf of humanity, their task is to make the “invisible hand” visible.

Focused on the long term, but addressing the here and now, associative economics offers an approach to business, government and the third sector (civil society) based on a common framework. Central is its revisiting of the For-Profit/Not-for-Profit divide and its empowering approach to today’s financial system.

Christopher Houghton Budd is an economic historian with a doctorate in banking and international finance. He specialises in topics ranging from sustainability to the financial markets and has a special interest in bridging between Rudolf Steiner’s work and current understandings.

END/cva

Contacts:

Content: Christopher Houghton Budd, +44 (0)1227 738207, chb@cfæ.biz Administration: Arthur Edwards, +44 (0)1993 891363, arthur@talkingeconomics.co.uk

www.cfæ.biz

www.talkingeconomics.co.uk

Item: 040610-01EN Date: 10. June 2004

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