The Economics of Kindness

Beschreibung

“A most compelling vision for a new economy. A beautiful pearl of wisdom.” - Mark Anielski, author of The Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth   “A marvellous piece of writing. I wish students of every economics department in the world could read this book.” - Satish Kumar, Editor Emeritus of Resurgence & Ecologist   “With a wealth of practical stories, Dauncey shows how we can build an economy rooted in compassion, connection, and community wealth-building. A much-needed shot of hope.” - Michael H. Shuman, publisher of Main Street Journal   “An inspiring visionary book will put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.” - David Boyd, author of The Optimistic Environmentalist: Progress Towards a Greener Future   “A comprehensive, rigorous, inspiring manifesto for a hopeful, kind and cooperative future.” - Ann Pettifor, author of The Production of Money: How to Break the Power of Bankers   “An inspiring, multi-dimensional vision of a kindness-based economy … a treasure for any caring person who is looking for an alternative way forward.” - Jeremy Lent, author of Ecocivilization: Making a World that Works for all   “I gasp in awe at The Economics of Kindness – a brilliant translation of the truth of the Golden Rule that is advocated by all world faiths.” - Rev. Canon Peter Challen, Industrial Chaplain, Sloan Fellow of the London Business School What if our economy was built on kindness and cooperation instead of selfishness and competition? In this bold and forward-looking book, Guy Dauncey argues that the crises we face—from climate collapse to inequality and social division—are symptoms of economic systems designed to reward domination and capital gain. Blending anthropology, history, economics, and policy, he offers detailed, practical solutions across housing, work, banking, democracy, climate, and community. From public banks and cooperative housing to regenerative farming and global governance reform, this book sets out to enable systemic transformation This book proposes a powerful alternative to present-day options: the economics of kindness. Combining years of research into alternative systems and approaches, it presents a new ecological social alternative—one focused on building structural kindness instead of one dependent on human emotion. Guy Dauncey is a romantic economist, the author of eleven books on ways to build a fair, ecologically sustainable world. A fellow of the Findhorn Foundation and the Royal Society for Arts, he co-founded Prevent Cancer Now, the BC Sustainable Energy Association, and the West Coast Climate Action Network. He lives on Vancouver Island, Canada. 

What if our economy was built on kindness and cooperation instead of selfishness and competition?

In this bold and forward-looking book, Guy Dauncey argues that the crises we face—from climate collapse to inequality and social division—are symptoms of economic systems designed to reward domination and capital gain. Blending anthropology, history, economics, and policy, he offers detailed, practical solutions across housing, work, banking, democracy, climate, and community. From public banks and cooperative housing to regenerative farming and global governance reform, this book sets out to enable systemic transformation.

This book proposes a powerful alternative to present-day options: the economics of kindness. Combining years of research into alternative systems and approaches, it presents a new ecological social alternative—one focused on building structural kindness instead of one dependent on humans acting kindly.

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Guy Dauncey

Themen in »The Economics of Kindness«

Economics of kindness Evolutionary economics Cooperation Kindness Economic choice Economic development Economic innovation Sustainable economics Guy Dauncey book

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“For too long, we have been told that our economy must be defined by ruthless competition and greed. Guy Dauncey's The Economics of Kindness brilliantly and persuasively dismantles this myth, showing how a world built on cooperation and justice is necessary and within our grasp. Dauncey provides a rich collection of actionable reforms across nineteen key realms, from housing to finance and climate policy. This is the missing blueprint we need to transition from a broken capitalist system to an equitable, future-fit, and flourishing human civilization on a finite planet.” (Bob Willard, Chief Sustainability Champion, Sustainability Advantage)

“Kind is what every good parent wants their kid to become. As this fine book makes clear, it turns out we should be thinking the same way about our economy!” (Bill McKibben, author of “Here Comes the Sun”)

“I have long appreciated Guy Dauncey’s vision and imagination. In this book, a good deal of his life’s exploration of creative solutions come together. An innovative thinker – both historian and futurist – Dauncey offers a fascinating survey of the contemporary cooperative economy. The book’s first section provides an accessible romp through economic history, while the second lays out Dauncey’s model applied to all the defining sectors of our lives. Dauncey remains relentlessly hopeful, reminding us there is nothing fixed about our economy or the cultural norms that guide it.” (Seth Klein, author of “A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency”)

“Mainstream economics likes to think of itself as a value-free science. Among its many sins are bizarre simplifying assumptions that bear no connection to the real world. They paint a picture of people as essentially selfish, competitive and  individualistic. Guy Dauncey shows us that there is a completely different story to tell, focused on our extraordinary altruism, cooperative skills and gregarious nature. In other words, the power of kindness has been overlooked. This is an insight that can save us from disaster. Choose kindness, build systems to reward and encourage it, and you choose life and a viable future.” (Andrew Sims, Research Associate with the Centre for Global Political Economy, University of Sussex)

“So much of our politics has been built around the ideal of selfish, calculating humans. What if it was built on kindness instead? In response to this simple question, Guy Dauncey serves up a rich collection of analysis and new visions of the future.” (Nat Dyer, author of “Ricardo's Dream: How Economists Forgot the Real World and Led us Astray)

“Guy Dauncey presents a most compelling vision for a new economy, and a beautiful pearl of wisdom. An economic mindset oriented towards kindness rather than greed and selfishness may be the key strategic idea to save humanity from egocentric fear, in a world that has lost touch with simple truths. Read Guy’s book and be inspired.” (Mark Anielski, Author of “The Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth”, and “An Economy of Well-being: Common-sense Tools for Building Genuine Wealth and Happiness”)

“At a ‘time of monsters’, when authoritarianism, greed and corruption are rampant, Guy Dauncey has produced a comprehensive, rigorous and inspiring manifesto. He maps out for readers and change-agents a more hopeful, kind and cooperative future. His attention to all aspects of the social, market and global economies provides society with a guide to building a more convivial society, a stable and cooperative economy, and a liveable biosphere. Dauncey's book is a thoughtful and mindful antidote to the despair being induced by our multi-polarised world.” (Ann Pettifor, Director of Policy Research in Macroeconomics (PRIME). Author of “The Production of Money: How to Break the Power of Bankers”)

“With capitalism its economic drive-train, the modern world system seems to be headed for a fall. Incessant bad news of a spiraling, multiheaded crisis fuels a zeitgeist of fear for the future. It’s easy to make a case for despair, but what we need are thinkers who make hope plausible. That is, we need pragmatic visionaries like Guy Dauncey to show us the path to another world rooted in cooperation, ecology, and conviviality. The Economics of Kindness tickles the imagination, buoys the spirit, and spurs action.” (Paul Raskin, Founding President of the Tellus Institute. Lead author for the U.S. National Academy of Science's Board on Sustainability, and the Earth Charter)

“What’s the alternative to today’s economy based on cruelty, isolation, and loneliness?  Guy Dauncey shows an inspiring possibility in The Economics of Kindness. With a wealth of practical stories, he show how we can build an economy rooted in compassion, connection, and community wealth-building.  For those of us feeling deep despair, The Economics of Kindness offers a much-needed shot of hope.” (Michael H. Shuman, Publisher of the Main Street Journal, author of “The Local Economy Solution: How Innovative, Self-Financing Pollinator Enterprises Can Grow Jobs and Prosperity”)

“Guy Dauncey offers an insightful and elegant thesis centred on the pivotal role of kindness in shaping the way forward. He is not alone in arguing that we must make a transition to more collaborative, cooperative, kinder systems. However, in this impressive and uplifting book he presents us with myriad ways we can make the transition happen. It is his clear explication of the problems we face and detailed signposting of a viable way forward that single his book out as as a must-read, one you will want to enthusiastically share with others.” (Dr. Alison Green, Executive Director of Scientists Warning Foundation)

“Guy Dauncey shows that the seemingly intractable crises we are engulfed in are not all that impossible to surmount. Hundreds of examples of transformations towards fairness, justice, and sustainability pepper his argument that a shift to the ethics of kindness, compassion, solidarity, and empathy can make miracles happen. We may not agree with all his propositions, but he makes a powerful case which is worth absorbing and being inspired by.” (Ashish Kothari, Global Tapestry of Alternatives. Co-editor of “Pluriverse: A Post-Development Dictionary”)

“Guy Dauncey is an embodiment of a joyful future for humanity and for the planet. In The Economics of Kindness he presents a big vision, which is holistic, realistic and also idealistic; a wonderful combination! Current economics has been developed in the name of realism, which has led us to disastrous consequences. Guy Dauncey has done us a great service by uniting idealism and realism in one book. It is a marvellous piece of writing. I wish students in every economics department around the world could read it, so that the next generation of economists might develop and practise proper economics, combined with ecology. All business leaders, politicians and economists should read it too.” (Satish Kumar, Editor Emeritus of Resurgence & Ecologist. Author of “Pilgrimage for Peace: the Long Walk from India to Washington”)

“In a world strained by polarization, inequality, and ecological collapse, Guy Dauncey offers more than a roadmap for change. He offers a reimagining. The Economics of Kindness is not naïve idealism; it is rigorous, radical, and necessary. With precision and compassion, Dauncey diagnoses the systemic failures of our greed-driven economy and invites us to recalibrate around care, reciprocity, creativity, and cooperation. As someone immersed in neuroscience and community economic development, I see his work as a blueprint for rewiring not just our institutions, but our collective consciousness. An actionable guide for global awakening and joy. It’s an inspirational must-read for anyone who is ready to lead with both head, heart, and spirit.” (Celina Caesar-Chavannes, MBA, Executive Director of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network)

“The Economics of Kindness offers a vision based on compassion, co-operation, and reconnection with community and the natural world. Guy Dauncey identifies the rise of selfishness and domination as the foundational drivers of contemporary capitalism, and offers instead an economics based on principles for a truly humane economy. His important and hopeful work comes at a critical time. It offers actionable and tested paths to a sustainable and inclusive future, based on real world examples of transformative economics. It is a guidebook for the future.” (John Restakis, author of “Humanizing the Economy: Co-operatives in the Age of Capital” and “Civilizing the State - Reclaiming Politics for the Common Good”)

“In an era dominated by the politics of cruelty, there has never been a greater need for this visionary offering that lays out a blueprint for an entirely different way to organize our economy. With a comprehensive view encompassing virtually every aspect of society, Dauncey shows how applying kindness as an organizing principle could lead to a just, fair, and regenerative future: an ecological civilization. After establishing sound theoretical grounds for transforming our current system, Dauncey offers an inspiring, multi-dimensional vision of a kindness-based economy based on numerous successful real-world examples. This book is a treasure for any caring person who is aghast by our current politics and looking for an alternative way forward.” (Jeremy Lent, Author of “The Patterning Instinct and The Web of Meaning”)

“Wouldn’t it be preferable for the economy to be grounded on principles of kindness—not only towards one another but also toward the environment—rather than driven by cut-throat competition, stress, and anxiety? In this path-breaking volume, Dauncey argues convincingly that a more cooperative economic system is both possible and necessary, and provides a clear roadmap for achieving it. Such a framework would significantly enhance human flourishing and contribute to environmental protection, promoting intergenerational and environmental justice. Dauncey’s innovative approach introduces humanistic insights into the growing body of literature addressing the urgent need for new paradigms in economics and economic policy.” (John Komlos, Professor Emeritus, University of Munich. Author of “Foundations of Real-World Economics: What Every Economics Student needs to know”)

“There is widespread agreement that capitalism is irredeemably broken, but little understanding of what could replace it. Into this void steps Guy Dauncey, with an inspiring visionary book that articulates a profound and pragmatic alternative: an economy based on kindness instead of selfishness. While this may sound utopian to some, Dauncey finds hundreds of compelling examples from across the world--from Canada to Colombia--to prove it is possible. Reading this book will put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.” (David Boyd, Professor at University of British Columbia; Former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and environment. Author of “The Optimistic Environmentalist: Progress Towards a Greener Future”)

“The defining message of The Economics of Kindness is clear and simple. The world will be a better place for all when we design the economy to encourage and reward kindness, rather than selfishness. Dauncey provides an extraordinary guide to the literature on both kind and selfish economics and economies, and their consequences.” (David Korten, author of “When Corporations Rule the World and The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community)

“In contrast to the selfishness that drives manipulative capitalism, Dauncey reveals how the economics of kindness can enable our civilization to function in service to the Earth. The Economics of Kindness offers a mandala of benefits for the wellbeing of individuals, communities, businesses, and Nature, and tools that can enliven relationships, expand community wealth, and reconnect us to Nature. He calls for a shared commitment to a new ecological civilization that can enable the next generation to live with hope, instead of fear.” (Marilyn Hamilton, PhD, Founder Integral City Meshworks, Co-Founder Living Cities Earth)

“The Economics of Kindness is a comprehensive, multi-layered critique of neoliberal economics that draws on new economic thinking to provide a strong message of hope - that the current emphasis on selfishness and greed will be replaced by a future in which human kindness prevails. To achieve this, Guy Dauncey explores a wealth of information about historical and current institutions, initiatives and structures to develop practical strategies for progressive social change.” (Mary Mellor, Emeritus Professor, Northumbria University. Founding Chair of the Sustainable Cities Research Institute. Founding member of the World Economics Association. Author of “Debt or Democracy? Public Money for Sustainability and Social Justice”)

“After 65 years of Christian Chaplaincy, I gasp in awe at The Economics of Kindness – a brilliant translation of the simple but profound truth of the Golden Rule that is advocated by all world faiths. Throughout my 94 years I have advocated for a just money system, cooperative authenticity, and planetary stewardship, all of which Dauncey’s book addresses. The time we have for effecting an economy of kindness is shorter than we dare contemplate.” (Rev. Canon Peter Challen, Industrial Chaplain, Sloan Fellow of the London Business School)

“Whenever I see a problem, I ask myself, ‘Why can’t people just be nice?’. Guy Dauncey unravels this mystery, and explains how we can change course, and do what we have always been programmed to do: be kind. An essential read for anyone who longs for a better, kinder world.” (Thomas Nelson, Wisconsin Assembly majority leader 2008–2010. Author of “One Day Stronger: How One Union Local Saved a Mill and Changed an Industry - and What It Means for American Manufacturing”)

“Capitalism crushes and distorts the human spirit and proclaims the broken results to be our essential nature. In The Economics of Kindness, Guy Dauncey seeks to liberate us from the iron cage of elite domination, lifting up cooperation, community and democracy as central to our social being. As the global crisis deepens and the abyss yawns ahead, this book guides us back to the sunlight of human possibility.” (Joe Guinan, President of The Democracy Collaborative, co-author of “The Case for Community Wealth Building”)

“In The Economics of Kindness, Guy Dauncey proposes that human survival depends on rebalancing the struggle between the cooperative and the dominating side of human nature, in favour of the former. Emphasizing that cultural values precede and then are embodied in economic arrangements, he traces the role of grassroots cooperative values in shaping much of human history, and the battles of their practitioners with proponents of individualism, stratification, and authoritarianism. He offers a host of well-considered solutions to economic and cultural dilemmas that blend cooperative and competitive values. His book is a hopeful treatise on how to save our planet's ecology while providing the stability and security that top-down statist societies claim to provide, while actually causing a breakdown of community cohesiveness and a retreat to individualism, selfishness, and loneliness.” (Alvin Finkel, professor emeritus of History at Athabasca University and author, “Humans: The 300,000 Year Struggle for Equality”)

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