People – Build Social Foundation
As stated by Manfred Max-Neef (Chilean economist), the principles of Economics should be about Human needs and Human scale development. The fundamental value to sustain a new economy should be wellbeing – under no circumstance can economic interest be above the reverence of life (not just human beings) in all its manifestations.
- The economy should serve the people and not be about people serving the economy
- Development is about people and not about objects
- Growth is not the same as development and development does not necessarily need growth
- No economy is possible in the absence of eco-system services
- The economy is a sub-system of a larger finite system the bio-sphere – hence permanent growth is not possible.
HUMAN SCALE DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTION, APPLICATION AND FURTHER REFLECTIONS, Manfred Max-Neef
The book suggests that needs are defined according to the existential categories of being, having, doing and interacting, and from these dimensions, a 36 cell matrix is developed
Need | Being (qualities) | Having (things) | Doing (actions) | Interacting (settings) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Subsistence | physical and mental health | food, shelter, work | feed, clothe, rest, work | living environment, social setting |
Protection | care, adaptability, autonomy | social security, health systems, work | co-operate, plan, take care of, help | social environment, dwelling |
Affection | respect, sense of humour, generosity, sensuality | friendships, family, relationships with nature | share, take care of, sexual activity, express emotions | privacy, intimate spaces of togetherness |
Understanding | critical capacity, curiosity, intuition | literature, teachers, policies, educational | analyse, study, meditate, investigate, | schools, families, universities, communities, |
Participation | receptiveness, dedication, sense of humour | responsibilities, duties, work, rights | cooperate, dissent, express opinions | associations, parties, churches, neighbourhoods |
Leisure | imagination, tranquility, spontaneity | games, parties, peace of mind | day-dream, remember, relax, have fun | landscapes, intimate spaces, places to be alone |
Creation | imagination, boldness, inventiveness, curiosity | abilities, skills, work, techniques | invent, build, design, work, compose, interpret | spaces for expression, workshops, audiences |
Identity | sense of belonging, self-esteem, consistency | language, religions, work, customs, values, norms | get to know oneself, grow, commit oneself | places one belongs to, everyday settings |
Freedom | autonomy, passion, self-esteem, open-mindedness | equal rights | dissent, choose, run risks, develop awareness | anywhere |
The BElNG column registers attributes, personal or collective, that are expressed as nouns. The column of HAVING registers institutions, norms, mechanisms, tools (not in a material sense), laws, etc. that can be expressed in one or more words. The DOlNG column registers actions, personal or collective, that can be expressed as verbs. The column of INTERACTING registers locations and milieus (as times and spaces).