Founding concepts
In 1971 the sociologist and criminologist, Thomas Mathiesen,
introduced two concepts that could help to address serious
problems by facilitating a free and unmanaged development
from below:
Counteraction
A new idea, or choice of action, if it is to contribute
to fundamental change, must have a 'counteractive' or 'competing'
effect on what is fundamental in the existing system. A
socially transforming idea must not be woven into what exists
but must be 'alien to the system'. The most important thing
is to avoid ideas and actions that can be absorbed by the
system, such as reforms without any effect whatsoever on
the basic structure or the course of development that is
to be changed.
The
Unfinished
For some theorists, social change is a matter of ideological
discussion and the presentation of complete solutions, a
question of having systematically correct opinions which
can be justified in terms of a complete view of future society.
This approach requires, for an acceptance in the elite's
debate on social change, the
presentation of a comprehensive solution, with built-in
answers to everything. The question of how elitist thought
structures of this sort actually affect public opinion,
is scarcely discussed. Elitist thought tends to induce passivity
in the majority, thus obstructing social change. An alternative
to the complete and established is something that is unfinished,
but on the way always towards something new and unknown.
The
dynamic, counteractive element in the unfinished resides
in the fact that it represents a constant challenge that
cannot be dismissed out of hand. Counteraction, and hence
the transition to the unfinished, is set in motion through
creating a consciousness that creates a dilemma - through
the conscious experience we have to choose between a continuation
of the existing order (possibly with minor changes) and
a transition to something that is not known.
This
presentation in support of a new science embraces these
two concepts and offers a challenge to the 'science' of
economics and the desirability of economic growth.
Two questions are posed:
a. Does
economics provide a proper framework for solutions to major
global crises, including widespread hunger, poverty, inequality,
environmental destruction, dangerous resource depletion,
unsustainable population increase and global warming?
b. If not, then should a new science be developed that can
make just one of many contributions to reversing current
trends that offer a more hopeful future and an equitable
distribution of wealth globally?
Why
the word PHILONOMICS?
As with the word 'economics', the word is taken from the
Greek - 'Philo' meaning friendship, empathy with (note established
words like 'philanthropy' (practical benevolence), 'philosophy'
(love of wisdom) and 'philomath' (lover of learning). 'Nomics'
has the same meaning as in economics - order, arrangement,
systematized knowledge but also reflects "nomia",
meaning custom or law.
