Book ReviewThe Post-Corporate World
"To create a world in which life can flourish and prosper we must
replace the values and institutions of capitalism with values and institutions
that honor life, serve life's needs, and restore money to its proper role
as servant." The Post-Corporate World is basically a book for people who are already unhappy with our current economic system and are looking for a practical replacement. Korten proposes creating a new life-myth for our culture to replace the Capitalist Ideal, then living as if that vision was here. This idea is philosophically and psychologically sound. In both his poetic images and his accounts of real people doing real projects, Korten is inspiring and encouraging. the lines about rising planetary consciousness and shifting paradigms, I got queasy, and I grew up on theosophy.If you are looking for pragmatic arguments to persuade your Libertarian friends that you're not an idealistic airhead, hide this book. With all
Seattle is currently experiencing the results of a runaway capitalism that has no mechanisms to make it mindful. Several thousand millionaires driving prices up while the wages of the majority of our residents do not rise to meet them is a textbook illustration of shareholders making monetary wealth by draining the living wealth of the stakeholders. A perfect example of the corporate market versus the mindful market is Boeing's decision to move its corporate headquarters to another location. Because they won't be living here anymore, Boeing's executives will be able to make business decisions that affect Seattle without being distracted by considerations of the effect on the community. "The market is a sophisticated, but somewhat fragile mechanism for organizing economic life," writes Korten. "[...] Each individual contributes to the whole while meeting their own needs with maximum freedom in the exercise of responsible choice. The healthy market thus encourages diversity, individual initiative and creativity, and productive effort." It worries me that the dense language and mystical, poetic imagery of David Korten may prevent these core ideas from reaching the people we really have to convince. Perhaps if we read and apply it ourselves, we can reach them. |
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Articles by Anitra Freeman | Activist Book Reviews | Bookaholic | Anitra's Web |