Alice Stroud, Partnership Leader in San Francisco, shared “Principles for a New Economy” published by Quaker Community in the UK. The 4-page downloadable pdf, developed by the Economics, Sustainability & Peace Subcommittee of Quaker Peace & Social Witness, align strongly with Partnership, Partnerism and caring economy principles.
The opening statement reads:
“Our lived testimony to equality, truth, integrity, simplicity, sustainability and peace leads us to a fundamental critique of the present economic system. We are led to seek an economy which recognises the value of all people alive now and of all living things, and of those who may live in a future time. Our vision is rooted in compassion, our sense of the sacred in everything and desire for universal peace.
We are inspired to believe that human beings can live in cooperation and peace if enabled by economic structures which favour and support this”.
Read about the ten foundational Quaker principles for a “rightly ordered”, earth-aware economic system that rejects “…the methods of outward domination”, and works for the common good:
- The purpose of the economy is the enhancement of all life, human and non-human.
- We do not over-consume the earth’s resources.
- All (including future beings) have an equal right to access and make use of global commons such as land, soil, water, air, and the biosphere’s capacity to process greenhouse gases, within the limits of what is sustainable.
- Everyone needs time and resources to participate in community life.
- The well-being of people and planet are not sacrificed to preserve profits or reduce national deficits.
- Since money plays such a key role in the economy, it is created under democratic control, for positive social benefit rather than private profit.
- A fundamental equality is recognised, not limited by race, gender or social origin.
- The tax system redistributes from richer to poorer, with richer people paying a greater proportion of their income.
- Businesses are structured and owned in a variety of ways. Cooperatives and community-owned enterprises form a large part of the economy as well as private and national ownership.
- A revitalised, participative and more truly representative democracy is key to our peaceful and prosperous coexistence.
Read the full statement
Thank you Alice!
Image by Nathan Rogers for Unsplash
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