What would Jesus do about economic growth? (Gittins - SMH)

Big picture stuff, reported by Ross Gittins (Sydney Morning Herald) on paper by Michael Schluter re radical and substantial reform of social, economic systems. Based on Christian principles, but with expected practical productive (qualitative) benefits.

The systems (political, social, economic) within which we live can constrain or enhance our creativity and productivity. A stronger focus on relationships would have many benefits.

Gittins (reporting on Schluter's ideas): "Corporate capitalism's first moral flaw, (Schluter) says, is its exclusively materialistic vision. It rests on the pursuit of business profit and personal gain. It promotes the idolising of money, which Jesus calls ''Mammon''.

Schluter: ''People are regarded by companies as a resource, or as a cost in the profit and loss account, devoid of relational or environmental context. So capitalism constantly has to be restrained from destroying the social capital on which it depends for its future existence.''

Key points in Schluter's paper:

1. Embed relational values

   "The greatest challenge in moving from a Capitalist to a Relational economic system is to shift the goalposts from pursuit of business profit and personal gain to a focus on good and right relationships."
   
   "Founding Christian principle was to "ring-fence one day each week for relational priorities: commercial activity was banned ... To introduce a weekly shared day off does not require that the majority in the society are Christians; the physical, mental and relational health benefits of a weekly day off have been widely researched."

2. Strengthen household balance sheets
   
   "the ideal was for every family to own a piece of land on which they could build a home and find security.[17] On the liabilities side of the balance sheet, biblical teaching repeatedly warns against the dangers of debt to individuals, families and society.[18] A debt-based society will tend towards anonymity, even social alienation, and will generally be inflationary, involving an arbitrary and unjust redistribution of wealth."

3. Empower extended families
   
   "For families to play a key role in economic activity and welfare provision, ‘colocation’ is an essential precondition, i.e. relatives must live close enough to work together and to provide physical as well as emotional support.[29]"

4. Engage capital providers
   
   "Choosing smaller, local companies facilitates greater knowledge of company affairs and more effective engagement. Those with their own pension arrangements can have Self-Invested Pension Plans (SIPPs) so they can choose where their funds are invested and engage with those companies."

5. Entrust welfare to local communities
   
   "A relational perspective makes it easy to understand why biblical writers wish to minimise the role of the state or outside bodies. State involvement diminishes personal responsibility, and all the relational benefits which flow from long-term commitment and interdependence."

 Conclusion:

"If Capitalism is not radically reformed, what is the alternative? Family and community solidarity will become increasingly dysfunctional, leading to high levels of unemployment, unsustainable demands on schools, hospitals and social services, and an increasingly angry, disillusioned and frustrated electorate. The door will be open for authoritarian politicians of the Left or Right, with an agenda of savage repression to maintain social order." {See Stage V, Evolution of the Human Psyche)