How Did Economists Get It So Wrong? - NYTimes.com
Kia-ora
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Democracy
Kia-ora
We do not actually have a democracy and probably never will because of politicians inability to give up any vestige of power and their contempt for the rest of us. Representative democracy is a contradiction in terms as we simply have a choice of dictatorship. (“Our only option is to vote for the other party. Then we get the lot we voted out last time” in another recent blog). What a real democracy looks like! http://direct-democracy.geschichte-schweiz.ch/ .
We do not actually have a democracy and probably never will because of politicians inability to give up any vestige of power and their contempt for the rest of us. Representative democracy is a contradiction in terms as we simply have a choice of dictatorship. (“Our only option is to vote for the other party. Then we get the lot we voted out last time” in another recent blog). What a real democracy looks like! http://direct-democracy.geschichte-schweiz.ch/ .
More on Democracy
Kia-ora
In 1941, the editor Edward Dowling wrote: "The two greatest obstacles to democracy in the United States are, first, the widespread delusion among the poor that we have a democracy, and second, the chronic terror among the rich, lest we get it."
In 1941, the editor Edward Dowling wrote: "The two greatest obstacles to democracy in the United States are, first, the widespread delusion among the poor that we have a democracy, and second, the chronic terror among the rich, lest we get it."
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Kia-ora
From Wikipedia.
One of the main corporate members is BP.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Business_Council_for_Sustainable_Development
From Wikipedia.
One of the main corporate members is BP.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Business_Council_for_Sustainable_Development
WBCSD's 10 messages by which to operate
- Business is good for sustainable development and sustainable development is good for business. Business is part of the sustainable development solution, while sustainable development is an effective long-term business growth strategy.
- Business cannot succeed in societies that fail. There is no future for successful business if the societies that surround it are not working. Governments and business must create partnerships to deliver essential societal services like energy, water, health care and infrastructure.
- Poverty is a key enemy to stable societies. Poverty creates political and economic instability, a big threat to business and sustainable development. By contrast, businesses can lift living standards and eradicate poverty.
- Access to markets for all supports sustainable development. Sustainable development is best achieved through open, transparent and competitive global markets.
- Good governance is needed to make business a part of the solution. Supportive frameworks and regulations are needed for business to contribute fully to sustainable development.
- Business has to earn its licence to operate, innovate and grow. The way business acts and is perceived is crucial to its success. Accountability, ethics, transparency, social and environmental responsibility and trust are basic prerequisites for successful business and sustainable development.
- Innovation and technology development are crucial to sustainable development. They provide key solutions to many of the problems that threaten sustainable development. Business has always been, and will continue to be, the main contributor to technological development.
- Eco-efficiency – doing more with less - is at the core of the business case for sustainable development. Combining environmental and economic operational excellence to deliver goods and services with lower external impacts and higher quality-of-life benefits is a key sustainable development strategy for business.
- Ecosystems in balance – a prerequisite for business. Business cannot function if ecosystems and the services they deliver, such as water, biodiversity, food, fiber and climate, are degraded.
- Cooperation beats confrontation. Sustainable development challenges are huge and require contributions from all parties — governments, business, civil societies and international bodies. Confrontation puts the solutions at risk. Cooperation and creative partnerships foster sustainable development.[10]
The Question
Kia-ora
The question.
What would a economic paradigm shift to a sustainable steady state economy look like and is it workable?
The next one is how to get vested interests to change when it is not in their short term interest to do so? History has shown it usually requires a violent revolution. South Africa and India being notable exceptions.
The question.
What would a economic paradigm shift to a sustainable steady state economy look like and is it workable?
The next one is how to get vested interests to change when it is not in their short term interest to do so? History has shown it usually requires a violent revolution. South Africa and India being notable exceptions.
Gorilla psychologists: Weird stuff in plain sight - opinion - 28 June 2010 - New Scientist
Gorilla psychologists: Weird stuff in plain sight - opinion - 28 June 2010 - New Scientist
Kia-ora
Should be compulsory viewing for police officers and jury members.
Kia-ora
Should be compulsory viewing for police officers and jury members.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Blog - Destined to Fail – Magical Thinking at the G20 - Jun. 27, 2010 - Blogs at Chris Martenson - Blog, Chris Martenson's Blog, G20, geithner, limits, Obama, Summers, The Three Es, toronto
Blog - Destined to Fail – Magical Thinking at the G20 - Jun. 27, 2010 - Blogs at Chris Martenson - Blog, Chris Martenson's Blog, G20, geithner, limits, Obama, Summers, The Three Es, toronto
Kia-ora
"Debt-based money requires growth. If we had a stable population engaged in stable and sustainable activities using non debt-based money as their freely circulating medium of exchange, then there would be no “need” for economic growth. Zero percent economic growth would work just fine".
Governments are still talking about economic growth as their main goal. It is our Governments only goal. Constrained only by the amount of wealth distribution towards big business they can get away with and still be elected.
The fact is in NZ we have the resources for all of us top live well without growth. The need for growth is a function of how debt funded capitalism works.
It is time we all thought about a paradigm change in our economic system as continual growth is not possible without taking from future generations,
Growth is not sustainable!
Kia-ora
"Debt-based money requires growth. If we had a stable population engaged in stable and sustainable activities using non debt-based money as their freely circulating medium of exchange, then there would be no “need” for economic growth. Zero percent economic growth would work just fine".
Governments are still talking about economic growth as their main goal. It is our Governments only goal. Constrained only by the amount of wealth distribution towards big business they can get away with and still be elected.
The fact is in NZ we have the resources for all of us top live well without growth. The need for growth is a function of how debt funded capitalism works.
It is time we all thought about a paradigm change in our economic system as continual growth is not possible without taking from future generations,
Growth is not sustainable!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)