Economics

Economics for Community

There has been a prevailing view within our Christian and Earth Communities that the earth’s resources are inexhaustible. Capital is a substitute for land or the earth’s natural resources. The task of the political, educational, religious and business leaders is to increase economic growth as there are no limits to natural resources. This has been the message promoted by western politicians from most political persuasions as they seek a mandate to lead through re-election.

Success in our society is measured by growth in per capita gross product. This growth is attained by efficient employment of labour and capital, which in turn requires that capital flow freely to whatever place it can be most profitably employed, with labour flowing. The result is a highly mobile labour force. The casualty is any form of stable community.

Is this what we believe as flowers of Edmund Rice who through his business acumen was able to provide clothing, food and education for the forgotten and marginalised young people of his times?

If the land is seen as having intrinsic value and human persons are fundamentally social or communal in nature with their community extending to the wider natural environment then an alternative view is possible. This is an economics for community. The economy is ordered for the well-being of human communities that are immersed in larger natural communities. Success is measured by the health of the community not the increase in per capital consumption. Participation in healthy communities contributes to our enjoyment of life as much as the consumption of goods we find in our mega-stores. In a healthy community sufficient goods are available, and they are distributed so that basic needs of all are met. Of course the community extends into the future and so consumption now must be compatible with a healthy life for the next 20 generations and beyond. Because the human community extends across the boundaries of the human, human consumption must be compatible with the continuing health of the biosphere and the relative freedom of its individual members from unnecessary suffering.

With this as the goal the principles of good economics change. Capital should be used efficiently, but locally, so as no to disrupt community. Resources need to be used efficiently so as to meet as many human needs as possible with minimum disruption of the natural system or exhaustion of resources. This approach leads to support for economic decentralization into relatively self-sufficient communities – a profound reversal of the present goal of a single global market with the free flow of capital and good everywhere. Trade of goods and services will be determined by the local community needs and regulated on the principle of sustainability.

Already there is evidence of a move towards the economics of community. This has been brought about by the ‘water crisis’ in many parts of the world due to the vagaries of climate change. Communities seem to need a crisis before they see the need to conserve and move to a healthier and more inclusive way of living. Perhaps religious communities today will re-capture their prophetic edge and lead by example in this area. There will be a refocussing on the local community as the centre of life where there is respect for the sacredness of all life and human life-styles that are in alignment with the natural earth community.

Will the 2008 Chapter be prophetic and take the next step in implementing the Earth Charter endorsed in 2002?

Peter Harney (on behalf of the Congregation Renewal Team)
Eamil: HYPERLINK "mailto:ptrharn@aol.com" ptrharn@aol.com
Reference: Hessel, D. (2003) After Nature’s Revolt: Eco-Justice and Theology Wift & Stock Pub, Oregon.