Economic Crisis or Nonviolent Opportunity? Gandhi’s Answer to Financial Collapse

Published on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 by Waging Nonviolence
Economic Crisis or Nonviolent Opportunity? Gandhi’s Answer to Financial Collapse

by Michael Nagler


On Monday the Dow Jones industrial average fell 634.76 points; the sixth-worst point decline for the Dow in the last 112 years and the worst drop since December 2008. Every stock in the S&P 500 index declined.

It is easy to blame bipartisan bickering for the impasse that led to Standard & Poor’s downgrading of the American debt, and in turn the vertiginous fall of the Dow. This bickering—this substitution of ideology for reason, of egotism for compassion and responsibility on the part of lawmakers—is a national disgrace; but while it failed to fix the problem, we must realize that it did not cause it. The cause—and potential for a significant renewal—lies much deeper.

So let’s allow ourselves to ask a fundamental question: what’s an economy for?

The real purpose of an economic system is to guarantee to every person in its circle the fundamentals of physical existence (food, clothing, shelter) and the tools of meaningful work so that they can get on with the business of living together and working out our common destiny. This was Gandhi’s vision, among others’. We can no longer afford to ignore him in this sector any more than we can ignore his spectacular contributions to peace and security. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/08/10-3

Mr.Gandhi was an incredible human being.

my daughter while young, especially understanding need vs want and of course non-violence.

A couple of times she has reminded me of the difference. :)