By: Gray Southon

Gray Southon — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:36:59 +0000

There is a great danger in assuming that money will support the whole economy. Money is only a proxy for value, and a very flawed one at that. In fact many feel that it is degrading to quantify the value of those things that we most value: life and relationship. The US, which is the only developed country that relies on the market for its health services, has the most expensive and inequitable health service in the developed world.

By: Sara Gmitter

Sara Gmitter — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:11:53 +0000

First of all, hi! Second of all, that last picture is really gorgeous. Thirdly, have you read/heard of a book by Riane Eisler called The Real Wealth of Nations? She makes the case that of the 6 sectors of the global economy only 1/2 of them are actually monetarily accounted for. That there is a hidden triumvirate of caregiving, communal and ecological economies which we depend on but do not value (both literally and figuratively). She would argue (and I would agree) that while some programs (like the ones you mention) do not produce quantifiable benefits within the accounted for 1/2 of our economy, they do produce benefits within the unaccounted for 1/2 and that once we bring those sectors into the light, so to speak, and start quantifying and literally valuing them, the dilemma of justifying funding for such projects, will disappear.
Hope you are well!

Comments on: Development as Investment

By: Gray Southon

By: Sara Gmitter