November 14, 2010
In June of this year, James Gustave Speth addressed a group of foundation professionals on the topic of “Towards a New Consciousness in America: the Role of Grantmakers.” He invited those in attendance to help him change America’s mind. By which he meant changing long held beliefs and habits that prevent us from conducting our … Continued
November 2, 2010
If you have seen the name of Neva Rockefeller Goodwin in the news it is probably for her shareholder action at ExxonMobil, intended to help the company to anticipate and take leadership in ushering in a post-carbon economy. But on October 28th visitors to Britain’s House of Commons could have heard Dr. Goodwin, an economist … Continued
September 15, 2010
The men and women of the United States were once builders of boats, weavers of fabric, turners of pots, crafters of furniture, keepers of bees, operators of mills, welders of steel, creators of new technologies, and in general makers of the goods used in America. Entranced by the doctrine of efficiency of scale, bulging corporations … Continued
September 12, 2010
The economist, Fritz Schumacher, author of Small Is Beautiful, commented that if everyone were for “small,” he’d be for “big.” It was not just to be contrarian. It was a question of balance. Our global economy has grown so big, our production processes so divided and so distant from the places where the goods are … Continued
September 9, 2010
It is a time of economic crisis. Will a solution be found in the private market or through government mandate? And if through government, just who is this government anyway—”them” or “us”? What is the responsibility of citizens for crafting sustainable economies, especially at this juncture when the very health of our eco-systems and stability … Continued
September 6, 2010
If we are serious about creating a more sustainable and equitable economy in the future, we must face the question of disparity in income and wealth. In its report “The Great Transition”, the New Economics Foundation have outlined an approach that they call “The Great Redistribution”: In the Great Redistribution, we show how a redistribution … Continued
September 3, 2010
In its report “The Great Transition”, the New Economics Foundation sketch an outline of how to reach what E. F. Schumacher would have called an “economy of permanence.” The sections of the report include: The Great Revaluing, the Great Redistribution, the Great Rebalancing, the Great Localization, the Great Reskilling, the Great Economic Irrigation, and the … Continued
August 26, 2010
Will Raap understands that the creating of a new economy is a complex endeavor. “Green” products manufactured with care for the environment are an important element of the new economy story—but only a part. Sharing profits with those who labored to make the products is another part of the rebalancing of our economic system to … Continued
June 17, 2010
At a member’s meeting guests helped imagine the future of the Schumacher Center—its vision, its programs, the urgency of its realization. Shifting mainstream economics is a huge task. It will take significant resources to accomplish. We need your financial support and we need your help telling the story of a new economics, raising awareness, and activating … Continued
March 17, 2010
Local currencies are designed to encourage trade at locally owned businesses. At the same time their very design can reflect and honor the history and culture or an area. This is true of BerkShares. On the 20 BerkShare note, for example, you find Herman Melville, novelist, essayist, poet, and mariner. Melville is best known … Continued
February 24, 2010
In his lecture “A New American Environmentalism and the New Economy,” delivered in January to the National Council for Science and the Environment, Gus Speth argues that if environmentalists are to achieve their goals, they must join with social activists, cultural innovators, and neighborhood advocates in creating a new economics—one that shares wealth, encourages diversity … Continued
February 1, 2010
The Annual Meeting of the Community Land Trust in the Southern Berkshires will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the First Congregational Church, 251 Main Street, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Gar Alperovitz, the guest speaker for the evening, will speak on “The Possibility of Profound Change in America.” Gar Alperovitz has had a distinguished career … Continued