So she gives detailed descriptions of Nordic countries who are living these behaviors and doing really well because of it (see insight #1 and #2 for examples). A couple of her examples are tribes in underdeveloped countries which must have led a large number of people to cry foul - it’s easy to do this in the middle of nowhere in poverty. The book gives riveting stories of several cultures that embody the Core Components of Partnership vs Dominance. Beliefs and stories that offer a more positive view of human nature. Equal partnership between men and women.Ĥ. Cultural “unacceptance” of abuse and violence as this leads to trust and mutual respect.ģ. A democratic and equalitarian structure in the family first and then society at large (a huge, huge point and a departure for the “business as usual” - start with family in order to affect society - she’s saying that it truly is up to us).Ģ.
Her Core Components of a culture of partnership says it all. The major premise leading us to “wealth” is acting for the good of all which Eilser has labeled Partnership (vs Dominance). Mutual benefit, mutual caring, mutual accountability "…we can’t change economic systems by just focusing on economics." - The Real Wealth of Nations, page 93 Economic and social structures that support partnership rather than domination Inclusive and accurate economic indicatorsĥ. Caring economic rules, polices and practicesĤ.
Cultural beliefs and institutions that value caringģ. The life supporting activities of households, communities and natureĢ.
In order to help us understand what got us here and how to “blow it up”, the book applies evolutionary systems science to social science and walks us through these new standards/rules for what must be seen as economically valuable:ġ. In my management consulting language she’s telling us we have to blow it up and start again! Putting caring and economics in the same phrase is super unconventional but at this point there is no softer alternative. It’s economics that are creating global warming, economics creating families trying to find time for each other, economics creating crime, hunger, extreme poverty. In it’s graphic and well researched examples we see the consequences to human life for our economic actions.Įisler proposes nothing less than a complete change to all our present systems if future generations are to survive. "Why when we humans have such a great capacity for caring, consciousness and creativity, has our world seen so much cruelty, insensitivity and destructiveness?" - The Real Wealth of Nations, page 1Īre we doing good or, doing harm without even realizing it? The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics by Riane Tennenhaus Eisler will throw all of us good citizens for a loop as it describes what we think of as “business (life) as usual”.