Founding
concepts
In 1971 the sociologist and criminologist, Thomas Mathiesen, introduced
two concepts that could help to address serious problems by facilitating
a free and unmanaged development from below:
Counteraction
A new idea, or choice of action, if it is to contribute to fundamental
change, must have a 'counteractive' or 'competing' effect on what
is fundamental in the existing system. A socially transforming
idea must not be woven into what exists but must be 'alien to
the system'. The most important thing is to avoid ideas and actions
that can be absorbed by the system, such as reforms without any
effect whatsoever on the basic structure or the course of development
that is to be changed.
The Unfinished
For some theorists, social change is a matter of ideological discussion
and the presentation of complete solutions, a question of having
systematically correct opinions which can be justified in terms
of a complete view of future society. This approach requires,
for an acceptance in the elite's debate on social change, the
presentation of a comprehensive solution, with built-in answers
to everything. The question of how elitist thought structures
of this sort actually affect public opinion, is scarcely discussed.
Elitist thought tends to induce passivity in the majority, thus
obstructing social change. An alternative to the complete and
established is something that is unfinished, but on the way always
towards something new and unknown.
The dynamic,
counteractive element in the unfinished resides in the fact that
it represents a constant challenge that cannot be dismissed out
of hand. Counteraction, and hence the transition to the unfinished,
is set in motion through creating a consciousness that creates
a dilemma - through the conscious experience we have to choose
between a continuation of the existing order (possibly with minor
changes) and a transition to something that is not known.
This presentation
in support of a new science embraces these two concepts and offers
a challenge to the 'science' of economics and the desirability
of economic growth.
Two questions are posed:
a. Does economics
provide a proper framework for solutions to major global crises,
including widespread hunger, poverty, inequality, environmental
destruction, dangerous resource depletion, unsustainable population
increase and global warming?
b. If not, then should a new science be developed that can make
just one of many contributions to reversing current trends that
offer a more hopeful future and an equitable distribution of wealth
globally?
Why the
word PHILONOMICS?
As with the word 'economics', the word is taken from the Greek
- 'Philo' meaning friendship, empathy with (note established words
like 'philanthropy' (practical benevolence), 'philosophy' (love
of wisdom) and 'philomath' (lover of learning). 'Nomics' has the
same meaning as in economics - order, arrangement, systematized
knowledge but also reflects "nomia", meaning custom
or law.
