Economic Model Shifting

[Evi Klett]

Last night I delved a little into the work of David Korten and Herman Daly. David makes the distinction between "phantom wealth" (manipulation of monetary/financial systems) and "real wealth" (the goods and services people actually produce). Herman places our "economic" system in a larger ecological framework which is NOT based on growth but rather on ecological balance and a move away from "consumerism."

I"m finding that decision makers are not using these models and that government is assuming that the current system needs some major repairs but not a fundamental shift. This leads me to believe that things are not going to get better basically because our economic system is not a sustainable one.

My questions to y'all ... How do you see this economic system we are in? What system do we need to shift to? and perhaps most importantly ... How do we move to it?

Also, please share any resources (books, writers, films, websites, etc.) you would recommend. Gracias.

[Monika Antonelli]

You can watch David Korten talk about "real wealth" and "phantom wealth" on Democracy Now! Go to this web pagehttp://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/26/david_korten_agenda_for_a_new .

David Korten: “Agenda for a New Economy: From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth”

As President Barack Obama reveals more details of his $825 billion economic stimulus plan, we turn to David Korten of YES! Magazine. In his new book, Korten argues that the nation faces a monumental economic challenge that goes far beyond anything being discussed in Congress. He writes that now is an opportune moment to move forward an agenda to replace the failed money-serving institutions of our present economy with the institutions of a new economy dedicated to serving life.