The Global Table

I think you'll find the attached of interest, Friends.

It's the one-page preface to a book offering an alternative economics true to the social justice teachings of all the great faith traditions. The book itself is designed to meet the need for a university teaching text, in clear English that can be used worldwide.
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The Modern Universal Paradigm
Rodney Shakespeare

Foreword by Tarek El Diwany

For all who seek justice

PREFACE

The Modern Universal Paradigm is an understanding embracing all aspects of life. It expresses a concept of unicity and relatedness. To Muslims, the concept is Tawhid; to Christians, it is Kingdom (or Kin-dom) of God; to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs, it is Dharma; and to Jews, Shalom ─ the precise words do not matter too much because the underlying comprehension and insights are universal.

The concept, moreover, is not confined to religion. It greatly affects all the human studies and, such its power, is beginning to touch on aspects of the natural sciences.

It is, moreover, both ancient and modern. From the past come the unicity concept, a prohibition of riba (interest), a sense of stewardship, a need for sharing and participation, a strong ethical sense, and a demand for structural social and economic justice rather than merely palliative charity.

From the present, come insights of remarkable modernity. One such insight is that, in respect of newly-created money which is lent, riba/interest, as distinct from administration cost, is not merely wrong (as it used to be in Christianity) but is not necessary. Another is that the technological capacity exists to eliminate poverty and so continuing poverty is the fault of human institutions and practices rather than any inadequacy of equipment or expertise.

Past and present then come together to replace the old economics with a new economics; to supplant the old politics with a new politics; to create a new social morality; to deepen democracy; and to give hope for the environment. Other consequences include an end to economic colonialism, an improvement in the position of women, policy to unite differing groups, and a wide capital ownership.

In November, 2005, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, former President of Indonesia, addressed a conference. He asked why many countries were resource-rich, yet poor, and called for an ‘accelerated evolution’. That evolution has a number of aspects including strategic breakthroughs in the transportation industry, an increase in knowledge and skills, new technologies, and expansion of various forms of productive capital. He issued a challenge to find the financial mechanism to solve the problem. This book accepts that challenge.

Throughout the world a change in consciousness is taking place. It expresses itself in various ways not least an awareness that something, on a big scale, is wrong and that things, on a big scale, need to be put right. The Universal Paradigm is a manifestation of that change.
It is also a response to the needs of universities which require a teaching text. At the time of writing, four universities have made interlocking agreements to teach the new thinking but they are stymied by the lack of a document which puts all the main ideas, clearly and succinctly, in one place. Another six universities will soon make agreements.

There have also been a series of international conferences on aspects of the subject ─ particularly on the connection between the money supply and the real economy ─ and the reactions have been so heartening that it is already reasonable to assume that another one hundred or more universities will wish to involve themselves in the teaching.

Because of the teaching need, particularly for young people whose first language may not be English, the authors have resolved to create a text which is clear. If in any way they have failed, they ask for forgiveness.

All people of faith and of good faith may take up the Universal Paradigm as can the people of any society or culture. In so doing, they will not only have the benefits of the Paradigm but will also be giving a moral and intellectual lead on the way to creating a more just and peaceful world.