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Change Everything: Creating an Economy for the Common Good
Is it possible for businesses to have a bottom line that is not profit and endless growth, but human dignity, justice, sustainability and democracy? Or an alternative economic model that is untainted by the greed and crises of current financial systems? Christian Felber says it is. Moreover, in Change Everything he shows us how.
In this new and updated edition of the book that sparked a global movement, Christian Felber proposes a blueprint for an economics of ethical, dignified, sustainable and principled. He shows that The Economy for the Common Good is not just an idea, but has already become a broad international movement with thousands of people, companies, communities and organizations participating, developing and implementing it.
In this new and updated edition of the book that sparked a global movement, Christian Felber proposes a blueprint for an economics of ethical, dignified, sustainable and principled. He shows that The Economy for the Common Good is not just an idea, but has already become a broad international movement with thousands of people, companies, communities and organizations participating, developing and implementing it.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 8, 2014
Es una obra que recomiendo a cualquiera que desee pensar en modos alternativos al futuro que nos depara nuestra actual actitud consumista y enfermiza, que nos esclaviza a bienes inútiles y que nos hace cada día más infelices e insensibles con todo lo que nos rodea.
Es un libro para pararse a pensar, no en las soluciones que plantea, que en la mayor parte corresponden a las propias de algunas de nuestras etapas marxistas propias de la juventud, si no más bien, en lo acertado del diagnóstico de la enfermedad que nos devora.
Coincide con Buda, Jesús, Mahoma, y tantos otros en que solo buscando el bien del prójimo alcanzaremos la plenitud como personas. Pero falla como Marx, en la simplificación del problema con propuestas inconexas a nuestra propia naturaleza.
El ser humano es un crisol de virtudes y una enciclopedia de defectos. Las fórmulas simples, construyen jardines elegantes pero nunca podrán reproducir la selva amazónica. Es ahí donde falla estrepitosamente el autor, y presumo que gran parte del elenco que le aconseja. Con poca o ninguna experiencia en la gestión de equipos humanos, en el reconocimiento de los horrores de la Historia, y como unos pocos pueden hacer un daño infinito, en la termodinámica de los procesos, en los flujos de información, en la psicología de las masas, que es bien distinta de la de los grupos pequeños, y diametralmente diferente de la de un individuo, confundir deseo con realidad, lo sitúa más en la esfera de la demencia que en la de los hombres cuerdos que se requieren para resolver problemas complejos.
No basta con saber que podemos ser buenos, no basta con creer que se puede imponer la buena voluntad, lo más importante es saber aceptarse cuando uno se mira al espejo, y pretender cada día ser un poco mejor. Y creo que ese puede ser el mejor mensaje de la obra: el camino actual puede parecer un buen camino pero nos lleva irremediablemente hacia la destrucción, "la economía del bien común no es el mejor de todos los modelos económicos ni el final de la historia, solo un posible paso más hacia el futuro".
Es un libro para pararse a pensar, no en las soluciones que plantea, que en la mayor parte corresponden a las propias de algunas de nuestras etapas marxistas propias de la juventud, si no más bien, en lo acertado del diagnóstico de la enfermedad que nos devora.
Coincide con Buda, Jesús, Mahoma, y tantos otros en que solo buscando el bien del prójimo alcanzaremos la plenitud como personas. Pero falla como Marx, en la simplificación del problema con propuestas inconexas a nuestra propia naturaleza.
El ser humano es un crisol de virtudes y una enciclopedia de defectos. Las fórmulas simples, construyen jardines elegantes pero nunca podrán reproducir la selva amazónica. Es ahí donde falla estrepitosamente el autor, y presumo que gran parte del elenco que le aconseja. Con poca o ninguna experiencia en la gestión de equipos humanos, en el reconocimiento de los horrores de la Historia, y como unos pocos pueden hacer un daño infinito, en la termodinámica de los procesos, en los flujos de información, en la psicología de las masas, que es bien distinta de la de los grupos pequeños, y diametralmente diferente de la de un individuo, confundir deseo con realidad, lo sitúa más en la esfera de la demencia que en la de los hombres cuerdos que se requieren para resolver problemas complejos.
No basta con saber que podemos ser buenos, no basta con creer que se puede imponer la buena voluntad, lo más importante es saber aceptarse cuando uno se mira al espejo, y pretender cada día ser un poco mejor. Y creo que ese puede ser el mejor mensaje de la obra: el camino actual puede parecer un buen camino pero nos lleva irremediablemente hacia la destrucción, "la economía del bien común no es el mejor de todos los modelos económicos ni el final de la historia, solo un posible paso más hacia el futuro".
February 6, 2020
👍Soa Mesmo Bem👍
Com excepção de algumas aberrações que confirmam a regra, o ser humano tende a ser solidário!
Auxiliamo-nos nas aflições e sentimo-nos felizes sempre que cooperamos e nos entreajudamos!
O bem retorna naturalmente aos benfeitores — uma simples lei da vida que certamente já todos comprovámos no nosso quotidiano.
Porém, não é essa a regra que preside à economia.
Nesse campo de batalha impera a lei do mais forte, que engrandece uns (subentenda-se poucos) e esmaga outros (subentenda-se imensos)!
E assim como o bem retorna a quem o pratica, o mesmo se aplica ao mal, que no caso concreto assume a forma de crises económicas periódicas, que tendem a alongar-se cada vez mais, em resposta à crescente acumulação do mal praticado.
A Europa está em crise desde 2008, e Portugal — se dermos crédito a Ricardo Araújo Pereira — desde os Descobrimentos!
Urge encontrar novos caminhos, e é aí que entra em cena "A Economia do Bem Comum", um modelo económico onde o lucro é não um fim em si, mas um resultado natural de todo um processo que visa o bem estar social
"Eu só estou bem, se todos estiverem bem" é a máxima deste modelo revolucionário que preconiza a cooperação ao invés da concorrência, e cujo objectivo supremo é o bem estar geral.
"Economia do Bem Comum", soa mesmo bem, não soa?!...👍😍
Com excepção de algumas aberrações que confirmam a regra, o ser humano tende a ser solidário!
Auxiliamo-nos nas aflições e sentimo-nos felizes sempre que cooperamos e nos entreajudamos!
O bem retorna naturalmente aos benfeitores — uma simples lei da vida que certamente já todos comprovámos no nosso quotidiano.
Porém, não é essa a regra que preside à economia.
Nesse campo de batalha impera a lei do mais forte, que engrandece uns (subentenda-se poucos) e esmaga outros (subentenda-se imensos)!
E assim como o bem retorna a quem o pratica, o mesmo se aplica ao mal, que no caso concreto assume a forma de crises económicas periódicas, que tendem a alongar-se cada vez mais, em resposta à crescente acumulação do mal praticado.
A Europa está em crise desde 2008, e Portugal — se dermos crédito a Ricardo Araújo Pereira — desde os Descobrimentos!
Urge encontrar novos caminhos, e é aí que entra em cena "A Economia do Bem Comum", um modelo económico onde o lucro é não um fim em si, mas um resultado natural de todo um processo que visa o bem estar social
"Eu só estou bem, se todos estiverem bem" é a máxima deste modelo revolucionário que preconiza a cooperação ao invés da concorrência, e cujo objectivo supremo é o bem estar geral.
"Economia do Bem Comum", soa mesmo bem, não soa?!...👍😍
March 28, 2022
No lo pude terminar. El diagnóstico político-económico es una caricatura, y la propuesta, hasta donde alcancé a leer, era voluntarista y absurda.
March 1, 2020
Christian Felber‘s „Gemeinwohlökonomie“ ist ein alternatives Wirtschaftskonzept welches auf ethischen, sozialen und nachhaltigen Grundwerten beruht.
Das Buch hat zwar eine überschaubare Gesamtlänge, allerdings liest es sich vergleichsweise langsam, sogar für ein Sachbuch. Ich hatte nicht immer Freude beim Lesen, obwohl der Inhalt sehr interessant und relevant ist. Dieser ist hier allerdings auch wichtiger als der Schreibstil.
Seine umfassende Vorstellung der Gemeinwohlökonomie, ihrer Ziele und ihres Einflusses auf u.a. das gesellschaftliche Miteinander, die Politik und die Umwelt, ist gut verständlich geschrieben. Durch den ständigen Vergleich zum Kapitalismus beschreibt Felber, in welcher Art und Weise Veränderungen auftreten würden und durch die realistischen Lösungsvorschläge zu heutigen Problemen wird deutlich, dass sein alternatives Konzept gut durchdacht ist.
Seine Anschauungsbeispiele und konkreten Alternativlösungen sind teilweise sehr detailliert dargelegt und dadurch auch sehr überzeugend.
Mir hat insbesondere seine Auseinandersetzung mit der aktuell (er bezog sich meist auf Deutschland und Österreich) praktizierten Demokratie gefallen, wo er klar die Schwächen dieser aufzeigt und ein alternatives Modell basierend auf der aktuellen Situation vorschlägt. Ebenfalls sehr interessant fand ich den gesamten Abschnitt zu der Motivation und dem Sinn in einen Wirtschaftssystem, welches auf Kooperation statt Konkurrenz baut, sowie Felber’s Ansichten zur Wertevermittlung und Erziehung im Rahmen der GWÖ.
Das Buch hat zwar eine überschaubare Gesamtlänge, allerdings liest es sich vergleichsweise langsam, sogar für ein Sachbuch. Ich hatte nicht immer Freude beim Lesen, obwohl der Inhalt sehr interessant und relevant ist. Dieser ist hier allerdings auch wichtiger als der Schreibstil.
Seine umfassende Vorstellung der Gemeinwohlökonomie, ihrer Ziele und ihres Einflusses auf u.a. das gesellschaftliche Miteinander, die Politik und die Umwelt, ist gut verständlich geschrieben. Durch den ständigen Vergleich zum Kapitalismus beschreibt Felber, in welcher Art und Weise Veränderungen auftreten würden und durch die realistischen Lösungsvorschläge zu heutigen Problemen wird deutlich, dass sein alternatives Konzept gut durchdacht ist.
Seine Anschauungsbeispiele und konkreten Alternativlösungen sind teilweise sehr detailliert dargelegt und dadurch auch sehr überzeugend.
Mir hat insbesondere seine Auseinandersetzung mit der aktuell (er bezog sich meist auf Deutschland und Österreich) praktizierten Demokratie gefallen, wo er klar die Schwächen dieser aufzeigt und ein alternatives Modell basierend auf der aktuellen Situation vorschlägt. Ebenfalls sehr interessant fand ich den gesamten Abschnitt zu der Motivation und dem Sinn in einen Wirtschaftssystem, welches auf Kooperation statt Konkurrenz baut, sowie Felber’s Ansichten zur Wertevermittlung und Erziehung im Rahmen der GWÖ.
September 28, 2020
|4,5*|
Ein wirklich interessantes Wirtschaftskonzept, welches einige der brennendsten gesellschaftlichen Probleme lösen könnte, die wir momentan haben. Das Buch ist detailliert und sehr durchdacht, die beschriebenen Maßnahmen und Institutionen wirken reif für die Umsetzung.
Leider glaube ich, dass momentan für ein entsprechendes Konzept der politische Wille fehlt. Dem Volk als demokratischer Souverän fehlt es auf Grund von Missinformation an Verständnis für die wirtschaftlichen Zusammenhänge und an gedanklicher Flexibilität um sich ein grundlegend anderes System vorstellen zu können. Und die Repräsentanten sind fest im Griff der wirtschaftlichen Eliten.
Schade, denn hier wird meiner Meinung nach schlüssig dargelegt wie eine Wirtschaft jenseits des Kapitalismus funktionieren kann. Das Buch ist sehr reich an Information und daher trotz seiner Kürze etwas anstrengend zu lesen, die Mühe lohnt sich aber allemal.
Ein wirklich interessantes Wirtschaftskonzept, welches einige der brennendsten gesellschaftlichen Probleme lösen könnte, die wir momentan haben. Das Buch ist detailliert und sehr durchdacht, die beschriebenen Maßnahmen und Institutionen wirken reif für die Umsetzung.
Leider glaube ich, dass momentan für ein entsprechendes Konzept der politische Wille fehlt. Dem Volk als demokratischer Souverän fehlt es auf Grund von Missinformation an Verständnis für die wirtschaftlichen Zusammenhänge und an gedanklicher Flexibilität um sich ein grundlegend anderes System vorstellen zu können. Und die Repräsentanten sind fest im Griff der wirtschaftlichen Eliten.
Schade, denn hier wird meiner Meinung nach schlüssig dargelegt wie eine Wirtschaft jenseits des Kapitalismus funktionieren kann. Das Buch ist sehr reich an Information und daher trotz seiner Kürze etwas anstrengend zu lesen, die Mühe lohnt sich aber allemal.
August 5, 2020
First of all it is well written and uses a simple language to represent the idea of the, i think, public interest economy. The ideas are interesting and maybe worth to try it.
On the other side, it is not written as scientific paper but as humanities one and the book can be separated into two parts. The first approx. hundred pages introduce the main ideas. The rest of the book is more esoteric and full of references to Rudolf Steiner and other alternative thinkers. In my opinion, the second part overshadow negatively the first introduced good ideas.
On the other side, it is not written as scientific paper but as humanities one and the book can be separated into two parts. The first approx. hundred pages introduce the main ideas. The rest of the book is more esoteric and full of references to Rudolf Steiner and other alternative thinkers. In my opinion, the second part overshadow negatively the first introduced good ideas.
March 21, 2020
I would definitly move to a country where they live after the economic model in this book
April 17, 2016
This book had rare moments of plausible economic advice, such as when the Author suggested a better system to internalize externalities by advocating the use of the common good balance sheet. But outside that it was inexperienced, irrational and down right wrong. We are driven by profit, yes this profit can and must be controlled as to prevent it's misuse but to rid of it all together would be to rid of progress. Furthermore, the intervention in the pricing of goods and services is justified given the level of concentration in the economy, but whose to say we can rise above the market albeit an imperfect market?
If a country follows the advice of this coo coo they will face a depression unprecedented in their history which no amount of "hugging economics" will be able to rid.
If a country follows the advice of this coo coo they will face a depression unprecedented in their history which no amount of "hugging economics" will be able to rid.
August 13, 2012
Presentación dun proxecto moi ilusionante e xusto para tod@s. Un sistema económico mellor. Por esta utopía vale o esforzo camiñar. Se cadra fáltalle incidir un pouco máis en estratexias para chegar a ese modelo.
April 12, 2014
Necesario para armonizar de modo efectivo un cambio social de valores. Muy conectado con otros enfoques de economía colaborativa
http://comunidad.medialab-prado.es/en...
http://comunidad.medialab-prado.es/en...
Want to read
July 4, 201670
September 13, 2021
Great ideas. Really drawn to the sociopsychological theory behind the Economy for the Common Good, just the economic side of the book didn't interest me as much.
September 7, 2014
Creeping Communism, Vanilla Marxism or Chocolate Covered Communism?
I really liked it because it is a great example of how younger generations get duped into tyrannical governments, regardless of how they name them; socialism/communism/nazism etc.
This is a very well written book, unlike Mein Kampf which embodies evil ideas in very crappy writing, this book embodies evil ideas in very good writing.That’s why I write this review; to warn our youth:
Good intentions do not a free society make!
And that is what Mr.Felber does; he takes us on a rosy, utopic, dreamy-eyed path down to the same old well meaning communal hell.
I really wanted to give Mr. Felber the benefit of the doubt. I was really impressed with his interviews and debates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WQ94s...
However after reading his book I was very disappointed; agreed, agreeeed! — the global economy can really suck and has a lot of negative effects, but a central “volksbank” and a mix of Keynesianism and Marxism with a dash of Adam Smith’s Labor Theory of Value are not the answer! It’s actually a funny paradox that Mr. Felber offers Keynesianism as the solution when it is Keynesianism that got us in this mess in the first place!
There is almost an unbroken chain: Adam Smith- John Law- Fabian Society- John Maynard Keynes- some form of communism(they call it socialism nowadays)- total failure. Any system which denies Man's DNA, and reality will fail. Any system which plays with the value of money a.k.a. Keynesianism is also designed to fail and history will prove this over and over and over again, which we are seeing today. Basically under Keynes 2x2 can equal 5 under certain conditions — to be freely defined by the inner party of course. Coming from Austria I am sure that Mr.Felber is acquainted with the Austrian School of Economics; he should reconsider this school before proposing just another form of communism.
Questions for Christian Felber:
What’s the difference between your gemeinwohlökonomie and communism?
Your system seems to be just “vanilla communism”; another well cloaked communist scheme.
On page 8 of your book you write: [I have translated it as closely as possible]
"With the gemeinwohlökonomie, no one will be disproportionately rich and powerful as today, but material prosperity and even luxury will still be possible”
That stinks of communism. Just a cleverly reworded progressive tax, tax the rich, etc. The same old , good old tactic; demonize the rich, tax them and take their money and redistribute it. Furthermore the contra sounds like bevormündung;infantilism, no recourse to the law — again a communist duma or council will decide who, what, and how becomes “rich”.
In essence you are just recalibrating at what monetary level and subjective level one ‘feels’ rich.
Do you believe in individual rights vs. communal rights?
Private property?
Page 51:
1)“Money should be a public good...”, "the financial markets should be closed". Again pure communism - “Volksmoney”
2)Genossenschafts Banken (communal banks only)
3)es gibt keine Fonds mehr.(no more stocks)
4)“Democratic Bank” wtf!? Again, a ‘Volks bank’.
5)Staatsanleihen — die verzinsung wird “demokratisch” festgelegt.
again just another well disguised communism labeled ‘democratic’ instead of volk or peoples or council.
(page 52:)
Same for the next point ‘Terminbörsen und Rohstoffmärkte”
Finally he comes clean:
he wants “the democratic bank” to take over ALL finances in the world and start a new money; THE GLOBO.
Then comes the most awesome and self defeating absolute denial of reality — the pinnacle — the 2x2=5 part:
“FLEXIBLY FIXED”!!!
What the heck is that? Well typical communism; 2x2=5.
Confuse everything so that only your inner circle or privileged ‘council’ understands what’s going on. Then they can “fix” it at whatever rate they want. It's therefore flexible for the duma to do whatever they want.
No more math — just fake concepts — typical Keynesianism.
He actually cites Keynes as his model here.
In essence, your system is more like national socialism where there was still privately owned industry but it was directly controlled by the socialist government.
So what is the difference between your system and National Socialism?
Ah, that's right, even the Nazis didn't restrict your freedom to earn money, whereas you want to restrict anyone from earning more than 20 times more than anyone else.
page 52: “The Democratic Bank is bound to the common good”:
And so it goes... after page 52, just replace ‘democratic’ with ‘volks’ and you will see clearly the whole scheme of things, basically Nazism, where everything is totally controlled by a socialist government BUT there is somewhat private ownership of industry and land.
He goes on to propose a “democratic post” a “democratic bahn” etc. etc.
In essence — as usual — pure communism(whatever, Nazism too, both are hardcore socialist):
The financial system is taken over by a government apparatus, this time the ‘democratic bank’; it directly controls everything from interest rates to the value (exchange rates) of money — thereby ignoring all natural laws or effects and establishing the exact same financial system under communism. (I wonder if he remembers the DDR?)
DESIGNED TO FAIL:
Anything with fixed ‘fictitious’ values like under communism will hit the wall sooner or later by design.
In one way, at the top level, or global view it is exactly like the childish worldview of a communist utopia; everybody helping everybody, no one wants any kind of advantage, everything is pure unadulterated altruism; everyone is perfectly equal and the state controls all money and all banks AND at the same time promise FREE EVERYTHING!
Reminds me of Bulgakov’s Master and Margerita where Woland is in the Moscow theater and lets money rain down from the roof.
THE PROMISE OF EQUALITY AND FREE MONEY FOR EVERYONE AS USUAL.
Page 59 — downright evil!
“The central bank partakes in a global monetary ‘cooperation’ per J.M. Keynes ideas.”
Basically adjusting the value of the money of different countries to achieve parity. This is not to be taken lightly.
Here “Realwirschaft” is the keyword, it is the cover for communism once again and is just the German translation of Adam Smith’s Labor theory of value which Marx based his economic theories on.
Basically the monetary device has no value, but is based on hours worked, instead of gold or some other physical commodity; oil, silver, etc. Remember Marx's words? "To each as he deserves, from each as he is able" etc. And it's always someone else who decides what you are 'able'.
BLATANT COMMUNISM AGAIN!
page 60:
1)Naked class envy again! "No one can get rich by just simply 'having' money, income comes from work" What a crock! Boy does he hate the rich, again, “those evil rich people”.
3)Arbeitseinkommen — “Work income is (therefore) enough for a good life for everyone."
WOW! What a bunch of neo-communistic utopic dreamy eyed balogney!
Chapter 4 - Eigentum - Property
Basically; ‘I hate the rich’; the underlying theme of his whole book.
Here he proposes tax caps or progressive taxes to limit the amount of property and money one can have.
1)"Limit of INHERITANCE"
There you have it, jealousy again, inheritance tax, whatever - they will just steal your inheritance if it reaches a certain level — the level to be defined by the inner circle of jerks of course.
2)Negative versus positive feedback loop.
Here he interestingly renames the communist system of death "negative feedback loop". By doing this he cuts to the core of all communist/socialist systems and renames the principle with more modern terms. Wunderbar! He proposes a negative feedback loop, i.e. the more you make -- the more they take, yes another progressive tax, in order to keep you from becoming too rich. The mechanism to enforce his factor of 20 (see below).
Any system based on negative feedback > progressive tax -- is a system of death. The successful get punished, the unseccesful get rewarded. This is so against the Human DNA that it is the best example of the book and all communist/socialist constructs.
3)“INCOME INEQUALITY” More class envy and hate.
Here he compares the salaries of top managers in the USA and also Porsche’s CEO Wiedeking.
Shameless -- män! — this guy really hates rich people!
[Ed.>> Mein Lieber Herr Felber, was halten Sie von Fussballspieler die aber Millionen verdienen?]
Answer on page 63:
[UNABASHED COMMUNIST CRAP]
"My suggestion: the income inequality should be capped by a factor of twenty. If the [ed.evil] richest want to make more -- it is possible but only if the minimum wage increase too..."
Basically above a certain level you can only make more money if the minimum wage is also raised proportionally! He suggests a factor of twenty times the baseline as the upper limit. So nobody can make 20 times more than anybody else. [Are you high Hr.Felber?]
To sum up:
A centralized power takes over entirely the global means of exchange, through a central ‘democratic’ bank, fixes the exchange rates, interest rates, everything — and everyone is happy because the evil rich are no longer and no one can become rich anymore because this magical centralized democratic bank and government are going to make sure everything is for the ‘gemeinwohl’ — common good!
JESUS CHRIST — THE SAME OLD CRAP — JUST RENAMED!
It is really frustrating that we have to say this, but we have been there and done that, from the DDR and Russia ad nauseum we have already tried this experiment in real time, why should we do it again?
I’m really sorry, I was quite impressed with Mr.Felber at first; but basically you can take Karl Marx’s Communist manifesto and Adam Smith’s Labor theory of value and wrap them in new words ... and that’s all you’ve got. The communist manifesto all over again...
HEY EVERYONE! FREE MONEY AND EQUALITY HERE! COME AND GET IT!
I still want to give Mr.Felber the benefit of the doubt, but until he explains really the differences between his proposed system and communism or national socialism — I fail to see the difference; it's just another idealistic well intentioned nightmare that is being repackaged and sold as 'good communism'.
I really liked it because it is a great example of how younger generations get duped into tyrannical governments, regardless of how they name them; socialism/communism/nazism etc.
This is a very well written book, unlike Mein Kampf which embodies evil ideas in very crappy writing, this book embodies evil ideas in very good writing.That’s why I write this review; to warn our youth:
Good intentions do not a free society make!
And that is what Mr.Felber does; he takes us on a rosy, utopic, dreamy-eyed path down to the same old well meaning communal hell.
I really wanted to give Mr. Felber the benefit of the doubt. I was really impressed with his interviews and debates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WQ94s...
However after reading his book I was very disappointed; agreed, agreeeed! — the global economy can really suck and has a lot of negative effects, but a central “volksbank” and a mix of Keynesianism and Marxism with a dash of Adam Smith’s Labor Theory of Value are not the answer! It’s actually a funny paradox that Mr. Felber offers Keynesianism as the solution when it is Keynesianism that got us in this mess in the first place!
There is almost an unbroken chain: Adam Smith- John Law- Fabian Society- John Maynard Keynes- some form of communism(they call it socialism nowadays)- total failure. Any system which denies Man's DNA, and reality will fail. Any system which plays with the value of money a.k.a. Keynesianism is also designed to fail and history will prove this over and over and over again, which we are seeing today. Basically under Keynes 2x2 can equal 5 under certain conditions — to be freely defined by the inner party of course. Coming from Austria I am sure that Mr.Felber is acquainted with the Austrian School of Economics; he should reconsider this school before proposing just another form of communism.
Questions for Christian Felber:
What’s the difference between your gemeinwohlökonomie and communism?
Your system seems to be just “vanilla communism”; another well cloaked communist scheme.
On page 8 of your book you write: [I have translated it as closely as possible]
"With the gemeinwohlökonomie, no one will be disproportionately rich and powerful as today, but material prosperity and even luxury will still be possible”
That stinks of communism. Just a cleverly reworded progressive tax, tax the rich, etc. The same old , good old tactic; demonize the rich, tax them and take their money and redistribute it. Furthermore the contra sounds like bevormündung;infantilism, no recourse to the law — again a communist duma or council will decide who, what, and how becomes “rich”.
In essence you are just recalibrating at what monetary level and subjective level one ‘feels’ rich.
Do you believe in individual rights vs. communal rights?
Private property?
Page 51:
1)“Money should be a public good...”, "the financial markets should be closed". Again pure communism - “Volksmoney”
2)Genossenschafts Banken (communal banks only)
3)es gibt keine Fonds mehr.(no more stocks)
4)“Democratic Bank” wtf!? Again, a ‘Volks bank’.
5)Staatsanleihen — die verzinsung wird “demokratisch” festgelegt.
again just another well disguised communism labeled ‘democratic’ instead of volk or peoples or council.
(page 52:)
Same for the next point ‘Terminbörsen und Rohstoffmärkte”
Finally he comes clean:
he wants “the democratic bank” to take over ALL finances in the world and start a new money; THE GLOBO.
Then comes the most awesome and self defeating absolute denial of reality — the pinnacle — the 2x2=5 part:
“FLEXIBLY FIXED”!!!
What the heck is that? Well typical communism; 2x2=5.
Confuse everything so that only your inner circle or privileged ‘council’ understands what’s going on. Then they can “fix” it at whatever rate they want. It's therefore flexible for the duma to do whatever they want.
No more math — just fake concepts — typical Keynesianism.
He actually cites Keynes as his model here.
In essence, your system is more like national socialism where there was still privately owned industry but it was directly controlled by the socialist government.
So what is the difference between your system and National Socialism?
Ah, that's right, even the Nazis didn't restrict your freedom to earn money, whereas you want to restrict anyone from earning more than 20 times more than anyone else.
page 52: “The Democratic Bank is bound to the common good”:
And so it goes... after page 52, just replace ‘democratic’ with ‘volks’ and you will see clearly the whole scheme of things, basically Nazism, where everything is totally controlled by a socialist government BUT there is somewhat private ownership of industry and land.
He goes on to propose a “democratic post” a “democratic bahn” etc. etc.
In essence — as usual — pure communism(whatever, Nazism too, both are hardcore socialist):
The financial system is taken over by a government apparatus, this time the ‘democratic bank’; it directly controls everything from interest rates to the value (exchange rates) of money — thereby ignoring all natural laws or effects and establishing the exact same financial system under communism. (I wonder if he remembers the DDR?)
DESIGNED TO FAIL:
Anything with fixed ‘fictitious’ values like under communism will hit the wall sooner or later by design.
In one way, at the top level, or global view it is exactly like the childish worldview of a communist utopia; everybody helping everybody, no one wants any kind of advantage, everything is pure unadulterated altruism; everyone is perfectly equal and the state controls all money and all banks AND at the same time promise FREE EVERYTHING!
Reminds me of Bulgakov’s Master and Margerita where Woland is in the Moscow theater and lets money rain down from the roof.
THE PROMISE OF EQUALITY AND FREE MONEY FOR EVERYONE AS USUAL.
Page 59 — downright evil!
“The central bank partakes in a global monetary ‘cooperation’ per J.M. Keynes ideas.”
Basically adjusting the value of the money of different countries to achieve parity. This is not to be taken lightly.
Here “Realwirschaft” is the keyword, it is the cover for communism once again and is just the German translation of Adam Smith’s Labor theory of value which Marx based his economic theories on.
Basically the monetary device has no value, but is based on hours worked, instead of gold or some other physical commodity; oil, silver, etc. Remember Marx's words? "To each as he deserves, from each as he is able" etc. And it's always someone else who decides what you are 'able'.
BLATANT COMMUNISM AGAIN!
page 60:
1)Naked class envy again! "No one can get rich by just simply 'having' money, income comes from work" What a crock! Boy does he hate the rich, again, “those evil rich people”.
3)Arbeitseinkommen — “Work income is (therefore) enough for a good life for everyone."
WOW! What a bunch of neo-communistic utopic dreamy eyed balogney!
Chapter 4 - Eigentum - Property
Basically; ‘I hate the rich’; the underlying theme of his whole book.
Here he proposes tax caps or progressive taxes to limit the amount of property and money one can have.
1)"Limit of INHERITANCE"
There you have it, jealousy again, inheritance tax, whatever - they will just steal your inheritance if it reaches a certain level — the level to be defined by the inner circle of jerks of course.
2)Negative versus positive feedback loop.
Here he interestingly renames the communist system of death "negative feedback loop". By doing this he cuts to the core of all communist/socialist systems and renames the principle with more modern terms. Wunderbar! He proposes a negative feedback loop, i.e. the more you make -- the more they take, yes another progressive tax, in order to keep you from becoming too rich. The mechanism to enforce his factor of 20 (see below).
Any system based on negative feedback > progressive tax -- is a system of death. The successful get punished, the unseccesful get rewarded. This is so against the Human DNA that it is the best example of the book and all communist/socialist constructs.
3)“INCOME INEQUALITY” More class envy and hate.
Here he compares the salaries of top managers in the USA and also Porsche’s CEO Wiedeking.
Shameless -- män! — this guy really hates rich people!
[Ed.>> Mein Lieber Herr Felber, was halten Sie von Fussballspieler die aber Millionen verdienen?]
Answer on page 63:
[UNABASHED COMMUNIST CRAP]
"My suggestion: the income inequality should be capped by a factor of twenty. If the [ed.evil] richest want to make more -- it is possible but only if the minimum wage increase too..."
Basically above a certain level you can only make more money if the minimum wage is also raised proportionally! He suggests a factor of twenty times the baseline as the upper limit. So nobody can make 20 times more than anybody else. [Are you high Hr.Felber?]
To sum up:
A centralized power takes over entirely the global means of exchange, through a central ‘democratic’ bank, fixes the exchange rates, interest rates, everything — and everyone is happy because the evil rich are no longer and no one can become rich anymore because this magical centralized democratic bank and government are going to make sure everything is for the ‘gemeinwohl’ — common good!
JESUS CHRIST — THE SAME OLD CRAP — JUST RENAMED!
It is really frustrating that we have to say this, but we have been there and done that, from the DDR and Russia ad nauseum we have already tried this experiment in real time, why should we do it again?
I’m really sorry, I was quite impressed with Mr.Felber at first; but basically you can take Karl Marx’s Communist manifesto and Adam Smith’s Labor theory of value and wrap them in new words ... and that’s all you’ve got. The communist manifesto all over again...
HEY EVERYONE! FREE MONEY AND EQUALITY HERE! COME AND GET IT!
I still want to give Mr.Felber the benefit of the doubt, but until he explains really the differences between his proposed system and communism or national socialism — I fail to see the difference; it's just another idealistic well intentioned nightmare that is being repackaged and sold as 'good communism'.
August 18, 2022
The author's view and theory regarding the Economy for the Common Good (ECG) seems rather utopic and a product of a wishful thinking, lacking support and evidence for many of his claims and projections. The author seems to dismiss the premiss that humans are individualists and egotistical, supporting the idea that humans are merely social beings. While the latter is true, the former is as well. Humans are both egotistical and social beings. Therefore, his theory, based on that premiss, seems to be fallacious, as it fails to acknowledge that. This is a product of an author's apparent view that humans are not evil or egotistical, but that's just something that is brought up by Capitalism. In my view, the author fails in understanding human behaviour, as do other thinkers he criticises. Regarding this, I believe Paul Collier's "The Future of Capitalism" is a more thorough and interesting analysis about humans and their behaviour.
Despite this, many of the problems the author points in Capitalism are true and more evident than ever. In that sense, the problem analysis is accurate in many points. Even the author seems to recognise that many institutions and governments are aware of that and working on the problem.
Even though the whole theory of the ECG is questionable, not only regarding its feasibility, but also regarding its respect for individual liberty and danger it may pose to democracy, the author presents many ideas and proposals that might help solve many of the issues and injustices we see in today's capitalist economy, or at least serve as a good starting point to build on.
At the same time, the author presents direct democracy as a solution to today's democracy problems. Once again, the author points out many accurate problems regarding the distancing between political decision makers and the people that elect them, but the solution presented is very questionable. Direct democracy, as the author proposes is a threat to democracy as we know and might represent an attack on western liberal values, such as freedom of speech, expression or religion, as the author defends referendums as the ultimate democratic decision process. However, and even as exemplified by the author with a real world situation, this might end in restrictions to individual liberty. Therefore, more democracy and freedom, as the author believes, might actual mean less democracy and freedom. Regarding this, a reading of "How democracies die" is encouraged.
Nevertheless, I believe the book is worth reading, as it presents and accurate analysis of many problems and some disruptive ideas (some better than others) that are good food for thought.
Despite this, many of the problems the author points in Capitalism are true and more evident than ever. In that sense, the problem analysis is accurate in many points. Even the author seems to recognise that many institutions and governments are aware of that and working on the problem.
Even though the whole theory of the ECG is questionable, not only regarding its feasibility, but also regarding its respect for individual liberty and danger it may pose to democracy, the author presents many ideas and proposals that might help solve many of the issues and injustices we see in today's capitalist economy, or at least serve as a good starting point to build on.
At the same time, the author presents direct democracy as a solution to today's democracy problems. Once again, the author points out many accurate problems regarding the distancing between political decision makers and the people that elect them, but the solution presented is very questionable. Direct democracy, as the author proposes is a threat to democracy as we know and might represent an attack on western liberal values, such as freedom of speech, expression or religion, as the author defends referendums as the ultimate democratic decision process. However, and even as exemplified by the author with a real world situation, this might end in restrictions to individual liberty. Therefore, more democracy and freedom, as the author believes, might actual mean less democracy and freedom. Regarding this, a reading of "How democracies die" is encouraged.
Nevertheless, I believe the book is worth reading, as it presents and accurate analysis of many problems and some disruptive ideas (some better than others) that are good food for thought.
March 2, 2019
Een eye-opener! Felber licht een alternatief duurzaam economisch model toe op alle niveau's van de maatschappij (gemeentelijk, regionaal, nationaal, europees, wereldvlak,...) in een logische en begrijpelijke taal. Vanuit de onderbuik van de maatschappij worden basiswaarden-, basisbehoeften en grondwettelijke rechten als vertrekpunt genomen om een nieuw economisch model te doen groeien, waar niet langer winst, concurrentie en constante groei primeren (financiële resultaten), maar waar het maatschappelijk optimum en het gemene goed (onder de vorm van de gemene goed balans) indicatoren voor succes worden. Geld krijgt de plaats die ze verdient in dit systeem : een hulpmiddel en niet langer een doelstelling op zich.
Ik kan dit boekje aanraden aan elke klimaatspijbelaar die antwoorden zoekt, maar ook aan elke politicus die klimaatspijbelaars, vakbonden, gele hesjes en zo meer van antwoord wil zijn.
Brandend actueel biedt dit boek een mogelijke blauwdruk om heel wat maatschappelijke, economische en sociale vraagstukken op een andere manier te benaderen. Realistisch, logisch, betaalbaar en ten goede van iedereen, niet enkel van de kapitalistische elite in de maatschappij met wie de kloof enkel nog maar toeneemt.
Ik kan dit boekje aanraden aan elke klimaatspijbelaar die antwoorden zoekt, maar ook aan elke politicus die klimaatspijbelaars, vakbonden, gele hesjes en zo meer van antwoord wil zijn.
Brandend actueel biedt dit boek een mogelijke blauwdruk om heel wat maatschappelijke, economische en sociale vraagstukken op een andere manier te benaderen. Realistisch, logisch, betaalbaar en ten goede van iedereen, niet enkel van de kapitalistische elite in de maatschappij met wie de kloof enkel nog maar toeneemt.
May 8, 2017
A brisk, upbeat. and accessible read about how to redesign the economy, combining discussion of general principles and nuts-and-bolts. I would have liked some more social-historical-philosophical grounding in the beginning (how does his conceptual framework relate to those that have come before?), I'm more keen on direct regulations and requirements than incentive structures (and, relatedly, the enforcement of his proposals was never quite clear to me--perhaps the same could be said of the mechanics of his proposed conventions), and I think Felber could have spent more time addressing how his ideas can help mitigate/adapt to climate change and other environmental stresses. That said, the book is definitely worth the time--getting you to think about foundational economic structures (the principles by which they are designed and purposes they serve) and providing some examples to help inspire.
The title could be better--it's not really about changing *everything*. But there's certainly much to change.
The title could be better--it's not really about changing *everything*. But there's certainly much to change.
July 24, 2017
»In dem Buch ›Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie‹ von Christian Felber wird das gleichnamige Wirtschaftsmodell vorgestellt. Es zeigt auf, dass es sehr wohl eine Alternative zu unserem jetzigen Wirtschaftssystem geben kann. Viele interessante Ideen, die den Menschen und seine Umwelt wieder in den Mittelpunkt des Wirtschaftens stellen, werden dem Leser dargeboten. Was am Schluss tatsächlich zur Umsetzung kommt, bleibt uns überlassen. Das Buch selbst will erstmal nur Grundlage, im Sinne von Denkanstößen und Diskussionsimpulsen, für einen demokratischen Prozess sein.«
– Sophie Asam (PD-Praktikantin)
– Sophie Asam (PD-Praktikantin)
December 9, 2019
Another petty mind reinventing the wheel. What is good for Felber is "common good". What Felber dislikes or is useless to him makes out of you and your needs an apostate, a heretical or whatever is the word for "controlled by demons" in his sect.
Spoilers: no, there is no common good the same way I can't eat so you can feel full.
Spoilers: no, there is no common good the same way I can't eat so you can feel full.
September 7, 2024
É um livro óptimo para nos inteirarmos do tema da Economia do Bem Comum (EBC), desde a economia à política, passando pela educação e o ambiente.
Eu gostei mas roça um bocado a uma teoria comunista e numa sociedade regida pela EBC, quem for o melhor a persuadir, levará a sua avante, mesmo não sendo a melhor opção...
Em suma, é bom para conhecer e se se identificarem, aprofundarem mais o tema.
Eu gostei mas roça um bocado a uma teoria comunista e numa sociedade regida pela EBC, quem for o melhor a persuadir, levará a sua avante, mesmo não sendo a melhor opção...
Em suma, é bom para conhecer e se se identificarem, aprofundarem mais o tema.
June 22, 2021
Pésimo libro, sistema utópico con serías falencias teóricas, favor de leerse el ensayo "la economía del empobrecimiento común" del economista Juan Ramón Rallo dónde deja en evidencia los errores que se cometen en los postulados
April 27, 2023
'La economía del bien común' de Felber es un ensayo más propio del socialismo utópico del XIX que de la ciencia económica del XXI, con tintes filosóficos extraños. Me atrae la idea de medir el éxito económico también, en valores sociales y éticos, pero es poco realista. Poco recomendable: 2/5.
March 23, 2018
Sharp critique of capitalism. About 80% on the money. However, Felber is a journalist, not an economist, and sometimes it shows.
December 10, 2018
Excelente!
Buen material didáctico e informativo. Ojalá todos los países implementaran la Economía del Bien Común para acabar con las injusticias y desigualdades.
Buen material didáctico e informativo. Ojalá todos los países implementaran la Economía del Bien Común para acabar con las injusticias y desigualdades.
July 3, 2021
El libro está bien.
August 26, 2021
It's an interesting idea; maybe too good to be true. Now I want to read a critical review / analysis by serious respectable scientists to find out if it is feasible.
April 25, 2022
Einige sehr interessante wenn auch utopische Ideen.
May 19, 2021
Ein sehr informatives Buch, welches eine interessante Idee beschreibt. Man erwischt sich immer mal wieder bei "Das geht dich gar nicht!", nur um dann zu merken, dass man einfach nur in altbekannten Mustern gedacht hat. Felber liefert wirklich gute Ansätze, wie eine Gesellschaft aussehen kann in der jeder die Möglichkeit bekommt sich wohlzufühlen (es aber nicht muss). An einigen Stellen ist mir das Buch allerdings zu flapsig formuliert oder Ideen wurden nicht komplett zu Ende gedacht.
Alles in allem eine interessante Idee, die es lohnt weiter zu verfolgen.
Alles in allem eine interessante Idee, die es lohnt weiter zu verfolgen.
September 14, 2016
Discusses creating an economy for the common good, an alternative economic and political system. In some sense, it is already happening with Community Supported Agriculture and Cooperative Groceries in the United States> Need to go into other areas. Look at pg 26-27 The Common Good Matrix, Individuality. Can start implementing aspects.
March 14, 2016
Going from TINA to TAPAS. The conclusion is that we always have more than one possibility. And this conclusion here offers a new system that we can easily implement for a better economy that works together. Make up your mind for 5 values and everything will change.
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