Saturday, January 6, 2007

THE COMMONS AlterNet: "In his new book Capitalism 3.0, Peter Barnes writes that the costs of our current capitalist system are clear: inequality, stressful lives and a dwindling financial safety net. But how do we revise such a complex system? We need a new set of operating instructions, Barnes argues, that will usher in and guide the creation of Capitalism 3.0. In a remarkably brief 166 pages, Peter addresses and rather astonishingly, largely answers his question, 'How do you revise a system as vast and complex as capitalism? And how do you do it gracefully, with a minimum of pain and disruption?' 'I'm a businessman. I believe society should reward successful initiative with profit. At the same time, I know that profit-seeking activities have unhealthy side effects. They cause pollution, waste, inequality, anxiety and no small amount of confusion about the purpose of life.' Barnes' key solution to the unhealthy side effects of profit-seeking behavior is to revive the idea of - and reclaim the value - of the Commons. The Commons, Barnes insists, should no longer be viewed simply as a pasture where animals graze, but rather as a generic term, comparable to the terms 'market' or 'state'. The Commons is the gifts we inherit or create together. Think of the Commons as a broad river fed by three principal tributaries: nature, community, and culture. This river precedes and surrounds capitalism and adds immense value to it, and to us." Comment on the book. 11:49:04 AM

© Copyright 2007 Hetty Litjens.