Meaningful Capitalism: Change We Can Believe In

"The Times They Are A-Changin," sang Bob Dylan, which is one of his most famous title tracks for it captured the spirit of social and political upheaval that characterized the 1960s. Personally, this was a coming of age period for me (i.e., my transition from adolescence to adulthood); and, importantly, I was able to experience first-hand the deeper meaning behind Dylan's lyrics. Like today, I'm haunted by feelings of deja vu as I write these words, the quest for "change we can believe in" was a, if not the most, commonly-shared mantra of the times.

Fast forward three decades, through many life blessings and meaning moments, to when I was serving as President of "Renaissance Business Associates" (RBA), a nonprofit, international network of people committed to advancing business integrity and elevating the human spirit in the workplace. During my tenure as president, RBA was active in Australia, Canada, Europe, Nigeria, South Africa, and the United States. The creation of RBA, in many ways, was a response to a call by the influential American author, Marilyn Ferguson, best known for her 1980 book, The Aquarian Conspiracy, who envisioned the business "community" as being on the vanguard for positive change in society and the world. My involvement in RBA during these years was influenced significantly by Ferguson's vision and call to action. (Sadly, Marilyn Ferguson died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack on October 19, 2008, but her legacy lives on. To be sure, among her other qualities, Marilyn was a "true optimist" and firm believer in human potential.)

So I must now ask: are we closer to a "New Age" in business today than when The Aquarian Conspiracy was first released in 1980 or when I was affiliated with RBA in the 1990s? The current economic situation notwithstanding, or maybe in light of the current economic situation, is the business "community" finally on the cusp of becoming the vanguard for positive societal and global change after all? Can and does the "audacity of hope" apply to the business arena and corporate world? More fundamentally, is there such hope for "Capitalism" in the postmodern era?

The HuffPost has provided a forum for expressing different points of view related to the notion of "Capitalism," to the inner workings of the capitalistic "system," and to the "return on investment" that, rightly and wrongly, results from "free market" forces. In this regard, a quick search reveals posts and discussions of "Conscious" Capitalism, "Creative" Capitalism, "Disaster" Capitalism, "Good" Capitalism, and "Responsible" Capitalism, among others. There has also been considerable attention paid to what is commonly-referred to as "Corporate Social Responsibility" (CSR) and the corollary emphasis on corporate philanthropy. To be sure, I'm intrigued and inspired by all of these perspectives on the topic and am grateful to the many people who have contributed to this important dialogue.

This said, l also consider myself to be a true optimist and firm believer in human potential. And much like Patricia Aburdene, author of Megatrends 2010 and one of the foremost trend trackers in the United States, I would like to propose that the corporate world of business is undergoing a major transition, a kind of "moral transformation," that is beginning to reshape Capitalism. And while this transition may have started years ago (again, I'd like to give credit to the catalytic influence of Marilyn Ferguson), the current climate of creative destruction in the global economy is likely to accelerate the pace of change that is now desperately needed. We may even soon see the presumed bedrock of Capitalism, "greed," slowly fade into the past. Now that's change we want to believe in!

However, is such a rosy outlook really justified, you ask? You bet! As I have underscored many times before, on this site and elsewhere, there is another "megatrend" of the 21st Century, a proposition that is reinforced by Aburdene's observations, that must be taken into account: the search for meaning. This human quest is not only pervasive (and transformative) in more and more people's everyday lives, but also is coming into play with greater frequency and influence in their work lives. In my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, I make the argument that the transformation of work in the 21st Century is, in many respects, a call for humanity--a new consciousness that strengthens trust in the unconditional meaningfulness of life and the dignity of the person. Moreover, by applying this meaning-focused philosophy to the workplace, we can more deeply humanize our working lives and bring deeper meaning to work itself.

The same philosophy, I submit, can be applied on a "macro" level to organizations in the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. From the perspective of a true optimist, it can even be used to transform Capitalism along the lines advanced by Ferguson, Aburdene, and other members of the vanguard for positive, meaningful change! By integrating and applying the truly "best practices" of companies and businesses that have demonstrated how both doing good and making a profit can be accomplished, a "New Age" of Capitalism, whatever it may be called, is possible. Come on folks, as Walt Disney used to say, "If you can dream it, you can do it!" And if there ever was a time not to give up on "dreams," this is it!

To avoid misrepresenting or having to choose among any of the "new" forms or kinds of Capitalism that are seriously being discussed to accomplish the transformation agenda suggested here (and, naturally, because I have been affectionately nicknamed, "Dr. Meaning"), I propose that we call this new direction, Meaningful Capitalism. Under this scenario, the primary focus of the broadly-defined community of stakeholders in the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors is on the will to meaning rather than the "will to power" and its more primitive form, the "will to money" (Please see my previous post on this topic: "Living with Meaning: Realize Your Will to Meaning"). Moreover, I'm going to propose that, at a time when the call for innovation can be heard loud and clear, organizations in all sectors must commit authentically to meaningful values and goals in order to make a positive difference and create a better world. Innovation for innovation's sake will not achieve these goals. A new consciousness, "Innovating with Meaning," will be required not only to meet the pressing human needs of our time but also to build a solid platform, framed by "Meaningful Capitalism," for the future.

Alright, you probably think that I'm nothing but a "dreamer," if not totally out of my mind! Get real, you say? "Capitalism, in any form, is evil at best." "There is no such thing as a soul of a business." "Corporations, by definition, have no conscience." I hear you, but I'm still not convinced. Today, especially in the United States with a new political administration ready to take the helm, we're at the dawn of a new era. Anything is possible; not only in the way that we manage the "public's business" but also in the way that the world of business, e.g., Corporate America, operates. Indeed, the time is ripe for such a transformation to take place. The discussions about and proposals for a "new" kind of Capitalism provide evidence that such a transformation is already in the works. Let's capitalize (no pun intended) on these efforts with all deliberate speed by keeping the dialogue going and by spotlighting the initiatives that are currently being made. Let's not be disillusioned by the failings of the past but, instead, let's take full advantage of this time of "destruction" and "transition" by co-designing a more positive future and a better world for all.

I'd love to hear your thoughts (and feelings) about this pressing issue, so please submit your comments and keep the conversation going. If you don't mind, I have something else that I would like you to do. I have the good fortune of collaborating with two award-winning documentary filmmakers, Irene Lilienheim Angelico and Abbey Jack Neidik (DLI Productions, Montreal, Quebec, Canada), on an exciting film project that will bring the concept of this "new" kind of Capitalism to life by demonstrating that it can and does work. My colleagues, Irene and Abbey, and I would love to have your input into this project. If you know of companies that you think/feel may be examples of Meaningful, Conscious, Creative, Good, or Responsible Capitalism, please either submit their name(s) as a comment to this post and/or send your suggestions to me directly via email: [e-mail]. I invite you to join the dream! Don't forget, "the times they are a-changin."

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You can find out more about Dr. Alex Pattakos, author of the international bestselling book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, in his HuffPost Bio and at http://www.prisonersofourthoughts.com. Contact Alex at: [e-mail].

Follow Alex Pattakos on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrMeaning

Comments

[dadw5boys]

A Recource based Economy will create Respinsible Capitalism.

This will make sure that no Citizen of any country ever loses the Equity in the Natural Resources in their country no matter who company has access to those resources.

No more wars or Military invercention just to gain access to resources.

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for your comment. This is another idea or path worth pursuing further.

[GirlWhoCriedEpiphany]

I really want to believe you.

Working in academia and being a student of literature and spirituality, I fancy I am someone who lives IN capitalism but is not OF capitalism. I realize that since I do not till my own fields or stitch my own clothes, I am always much more complicit in the capitalistic machine than I want to admit.

I wish we could just walk away from greed and madness of capitalism and just forge a new path built on compassion and trust that we can find worth without acquiring more stuff. At the same time, I guess I refuse to place my full trust in the human potential to find a new way that will actually be any better than what we have now. I don't want to be a pessimist, but it seems tough to shake that voice of doubt and fear until I see some concrete results that we can really make necessary, conscious changes.

If what you say is true, maybe the realization of some Meaningful Capitalism could finally dispel my fears that our society can only shake the ills of capitalism when the whole global structure completely falls apart.

[jeff.mowatt]

Like this?

"Economics, and indeed human civilization, can only be measured and calibrated in terms of human beings. Everything in economics has to be adjusted for people, first, and abandoning the illusory numerical analyses that inevitably put numbers ahead of people, capitalism ahead of democracy, and degradation ahead of compassion."

See below, or above maybe....

Jeff

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Como on, have an "epiphany" and BELIEVE!!! Importantly, our beliefs, our "mental models," and even our attitudes or mindsets play a major role in shaping our behaviors and, ultimately, what results from them. Remember the words of Henry Ford (I bet Ford Motor Company would like to have him back right about now!), "Whether You Think You Can or Whether You Think You Can't, You're Right!"

[jeff.mowatt]

I hope this may be of interest and perhaps the "meaningful" form of capitalism you seek. We call it people-centered economic development and it makes the fundamental point that business is about people above abstract numbers.

http://www.p-ced.com/about/history/

http://www.p-ced.com/about/background/

12 years ago, it put down much the same case as creative capitalism. Using web technology, microeconomic development and microfinance tools to leverage investment for swords to ploughshares actions engaging business, government and NGOs

It was used to source a development initiative and microfinance bank in Russia followin their 1998 economic collapse and is the model on which the only fully described 'Marshall Plan' visible on the web is based.

http://www.p-ced.com/projects/ukraine/national/

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Right on! (O.K., I'm dating myself!). We definitely need more "people-centered economic development. Thanks for joining me in my "imaginative bubble!" (see comment below).

[zann]

I know there are healthy ethical businesses that elevate the lives of everybody involved. You could even bring some businessmen around to your community and your way of thinking. I also think you're living in an imaginative bubble too full of other people who think the way you do, and have enough wealth to keep the dark side away. Study history.

Human beings crave money and power as much as they crave love and meaning. You can only figure out what kind of regulations, customs and fair access to capital will be required if you understand egomaniacal bullying capitalists.

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Hum, you think that I'm living in an "imaginative bubble" and that I need to study history?! I suspect that the millions of people who voted in the Presidential Election not only exhibited the "audacity of hope" but also were interested in "making" history. I can feel your pessimism and frustration but don't have to agree with you or place you in a "nonimaginative bubble." And from many years of experience, I can testify that not all "capitalists" are egomanical bullies! In fact, many capitalists, of which I proudly consider myself one, are friends, colleagues, and kindred spirits in my so-called "imaginative bubble."

[jeff.mowatt]

Alex, First let me congratulate you for being the first journalist to engage with his commentators. That lot at the Guardian will be envious.

When the people-centered model was first proposed, it was seeded as an idea virus first on campus at Chapel Hill and then on the web. The objective being to create an "idea virus" of how business could be modified for better social outcomes. At the time Bill Gates had been know to utter that "poor people don't need computers".

That position has changed radically, as we know and resemblance between creative capitalism and the 12 year old virus isn't surprising.

I tried to join in with the discussion on the Creative Capitalism blog, which launched the book and may yet be the screenplay. Economic experts around the world simply didn't want to know about success, in Russia.

We began the final paper, the 'Marshall Plan' strategy with a clear object in mind, to demonstrate that for the investment of what was being spent in a week on Iraq, it would be possible to foster democracy in another country at nil overall cost.

At Davos this year, the one US response so far in the launch of the East Europe Foundation, came as the result of this earlier invocation of "creative capitalism"

Jeff

[DragonMama]

I think you two are being a little overly antagonistic in this dialogue. I can see both points. Alex, I very strongly agree with you on your goals, but to ignore zann's point of the existance of "egomaniacl bullying capitalists" living on the same planet as we do is to ignore a major monkey wrench in the mechanics of this transition. I am an optimist too and I firmly believe that the vast majority of people want meaning and equality of dignity, but it doesn't take many bad apples to totally spoil the barrel here, and those bad apples need to be accounted for too (it's part of recognizing their equal dignity to acknowledge their existence, isn't it?). Personally, I think a lot of the "egomaniacal bullying capitalists" in a different setting could likely be diagnosed with clinical mental disorders (bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and attachment disorder being the primary ones that come to mind, as well as probably a significant percentage with mild forms of autism that affect their ability to empathize/recognize their roles in external "cause and effect" much less long-term planning/thinking beyond their own little bubble - doesn't help that they have the money to surround themselves with yes-(wo)men to further insulate them from their possible mental pathologies). We can't truly begin to heal if we only look at symptoms and not the triggers of those symptoms. Sorry if I'm making any undue assumptions, I've not read your work before..

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Alex,

From what I can tell, there are already corporations lining up to the Meaningful agenda you are describing. They tend not to make the news. Going this route seems to me to be enlightened self-interest. How the business dinosaurs adopt a more meaningful ethos is beyond my capacity for imagining.

A few years ago, I was once given the 25, 50, 25 rule which goes that for any new idea, you are likely to find 25 negatives against it; 25 positives for it and 50 who can be swayed either way. To achieve a maximum return, it is best to focus on the 25 positives because with them you are likely to bring forward the 50 neutrals. To give time and attention to the 25 negatives is a waste of energy and less productive. That made sense to me.

Let us focus on those who enjoy the meaningful route and celebrate them royally; educate business owners of the future through their example; have businesses be more profitable as they serve all of their stakeholders. What a wonderful world we live in!

Keep on dreaming - because your Possible Dreams can come true.

Warm best wishes,
Anne

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Anne,
You are correct; there are corporations that are lining up to the Meaningful agenda that I described and, yes, they don't usually make the "news." That is a major reason behind the documentary film that will be produced. Dealing with the "business dinosaurs" will be difficult, but I don't think that it is "mission impossible" either. In any case, dinosaurs have a track record that leads to "extinction!"

Thanks for sharing the 25-50-25 rule. The transformation process naturally seems to follow this rule. And I agree that we need to focus on a position of "strength" by doing the things that you have suggested.

[GlobalInvestor]

Go to the Global Investment Watch blog to read a good article about how to interpret our current economic crisis and why we should use this time as a chance to protect future generations from similar irrational behavior by rejecting outdated economic theories which have dominated our poorly regulated markets for the past fifty years to the detriment of working people and investors...

http://globalinvestmentwatch.com/2008/12/16/why-to-reject-economic-nihilism/

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for the resource!