THE BANKING ETHICS, SEEDS OF A NEW ECONOMICS NOBEL PEACE
wish to present the interesting ideas that support the position of Joan Antoni Mele, about a radical change on our current economic model. In your experience
always harbored the feeling that in lashing world economy was bad, for I had to seize the majority, as if the priority of existence beyond making money. In its activities of teacher and lecturer is agreement on most, even when he states bluntly that we're wrong and we handled improperly.
I will refer to three fundamental aspects of yourself: 1.La crisis we are experiencing. 2.La personal responsibility for money .3. The commitment of all to preserve the meaning of life.
CRISIS
is the first, because it affects us all. How is it that today, having so much wealth, we have to suffer so many conflicts at the individual level and collective?
1.
economic crisis of the Technical and scientific
have advanced so much that many people just can understand that progress. But what we all understand is that the environmental situation is untenable: air, water, soil is contaminated, so that seems true what many biologists say, the earth is sick and if we do not react in time, situation may be irreversible. Reacting
time means admitting that we've done things wrong and that they all have some responsibility. We have made great strides in the field of medicine, in the social field and have shouted that War is barbaric, and yet today we have to live quite cruel armed conflict.
suffer the huge current economic crisis, however, never as now, has there been so much money on the ground. And, paradoxically, we had no money to eradicate hunger and yes we have had to cover the deficit of banks that have committed atrocities with the money from their savers.
Globalization has eased the borders, making possible the movement of goods and economic growth has led to speculation unreal. It is not fair that having more wealth than ever, has more poverty than ever. It is not fair that thousands of people boats arriving on our shores risking their lives.
inequalities and poverty have a billion people there are illiterate, a billion children live in poverty, four million have no access to safe drinking water to about 29. 000 children have died each day in 2003 before reaching five years of age. And yet, with one percent of what the world spends every year on weapons, you could put every child in school. We
the fact that banks, from 1989, losing their relationship with the real productive economy, boosted the circulation of money in a virtual dummy and no correspondence real wealth creation. The money was swollen like a balloon by multiplying its value until it exploded: on fake money and real money was missing. Conclusion was evident: greed of individuals is what causes hot money and that explodes is simply a false address given to the money: a crisis of conscience and values.
The speculative economy is strangling our conscience and we deliver to our lives blind eye. She says our happiness.: "Bring me all your money and" giving away "things that make you entitled to the envy of all your guests."
And we should not worry. She negotiates with our money, without us knowing it, putting it into nuclear power, snuff, arms industry, ... Incredible: protest against the war in Iraq and at the same time, the fund with our money.
The speculative economy is a lie if their operation does not address the impact and consequences that occur in all human beings and the environment. The benefit is good, but on condition that no pervert. And is perverted when searching for himself and for himself. The benefit does not cause wealth derived from it. If the profit becomes an end in itself, then it does not matter the way one does: polluting, enslaving, ... It
is, therefore, to give a new direction to our economic model, which depends on each one of us. But this is not possible without a radical change in how we think and act about money. What direction should we give our money?
2. Banking
All
independent ethics in life are guided by values \u200b\u200bthat drive our will and action, our benefits. But if we are to live together in peace we must live by the principle: "what's yours teresa me in as much as mine."
This way of negotiating our money and benefits led to ethical banking independent. With the capital of their customers, banking ethics promotes organic farming, fair trade, development cooperation, environmental technology, etc. And, therefore, does not know the "crisis" speculative. Give consumers choice to realize, that move through values \u200b\u200bsuch as solidarity, integrity, peace, justice and sustainability, they can put their money where it will protect and enhance those values. It is the seed of the "new economy" that seeks to be truly useful for human beings and inevitably begins with the conquest of individual responsibility. "You have to understand that you can change the world with money one, however slightly, if this "one" we all "(Joan A. Mele, money and awareness. Who does my money?, Plataforma Editorial, 2009, p 47).
the decisive step
1. Who else but us?
world problems are our problems. If we accept our own autonomy and responsibility, we will not be fought out or hoping to escape the problems we solve them governments. Things will change if we change nosotros.El real problem lies primarily in the following: we are following the instructions of a socioeconomic model that involves us all, without us realize that we are slaves to it. That model is not neutral, but shapes our existence and relationships, so that does nothing but create division, inequality, hunger, misery and war. This model acts as a master and enslave us. Either you change or leads to massive destruction.
change basic points of this model are:
. Capitalist dogma is false that the person is essentially selfish.
. This condition is false selfish Darwinist is organized and acts as a "free market", competition, law of supply and demand, etc.. You look at yours and everyone will shake as you can. That is, according to Adam Smitch, the law regulating balanced coexistence.
In contrast, we assert that: the market does not regulate anything, you're the one who acts. The consequences will depend on what you do with your money and market performance.
2. Give meaning to life, is not to make money
must begin by setting the goal is not making money but rather to hear and decide who you are and what you do with your life. Give meaning to life is not to make money and used it purely artificial needs. Faced with an economy without meaning, create another with respect, that allows people to see that what is good and also generates profit. For example: I fabricate vessels that do not harm the environment and, moreover, are inexpensive and beautiful.
is obvious that we should meet our needs for food, clothing, housing, transportation, relationships, culture ... and we must not lose sight of all that is human beings as the center. The benefit must exist and he must tell us when the wealth we create is correct and beneficial to all.
Now, the economic model takes us down another path. The money provides an unconscious relation with ourselves, with our powerful internal forces: fear, greed, power, success. What do with that money? What should I do to lose?
When we buy (food, clothing, furniture) we should ask ourselves if we do so ethically and responsibly. Green consumerism is the only thing that should be allowed. They will not governments, but can we. As consumption increases ecological, increase distribution and cheaper. Good to know that Spain is one of the countries of the world largest producer of organic farming. Andalusia is only eight thousand organic farmers.
work is the dignity of human beings, and pay their recognition, and is a disgrace to treat labor as a commodity. Each must pay its touch so we can all live: that is dignity.
bank
The idea is not bad per se. The bank can lend some money with interest, it is fair that those who give their money creates wealth can be shared, where the interests, dominated by greed, not become usury. There are reasons to accept that savers take their money to the bank and not trust him more than individuals. The Bank has provided better conditions to return the money to whom he has given to an individual. However, this does not cease to become a temptation, for "doing nothing" my money gives me more money so they are encouraged the desire to live without doing anything.
Recently, banks, led by the law of competition, campaigns were launched to offer of interest and each other is on the heels to get customers to carry the money to his own bank: "I give the nine" " I give ten, "" give the twelve "and add" great gifts. " Nobody needs those gifts, but there are queues to get the money. And is that money has no friends and zero is zero twenty twenty.
The key problem is to ask what to do with the money entrusted to the Bank. It is clear that the money remains frozen in the bank, shared among many flows companies. How much does it cost us the war in Iraq until 2008? Three billion euros. So where does that money? Of the banks that keep it. And we have limited ourselves to take our money with the hope that we give the highest possible interest. And the Bank is subject to our congratulations because they have invested where businesses are more profitable (weapons, oil, GM food ...) The fault that they are funding illegal activities is all because we put the money in banks.
We are the first global generation, who discovers the value of universal citizenship and right of all value, which leads us to include and not to exclude, to combine the dual individual-community in harmonious relationship. In this regard it is essential the role of the economy. Through it we relate to each other and the Earth House. Everything we do (love / selfishness, freedom / slavery) affects it.
The distortion of the relationship between individual and community reaches its maximum perversion in wars that are based on the false assumption that man is wolf to man, not brother and that conflicts should be resolved with the law of force and not with the force of law. The solution exists: one that believes that we all possess the same dignity and values, about their rights and obligations, binding on everyone from an ethic of responsibility and freedom.
ALTERNATIVE
1. The case of Triodos Bank
We are feeling the consequences of a historical mistake: having grown from a group consciousness to one of selfish individuality. We are beings in a community history and culture that conveys the meaning of life. We are linked to the past and previous generations, from which comes the legacy of human life by reason and freedom is beyond herself and not just a mechanistic explanation. S cultural heritage makes us see our relegation from each other, with the cosmos, with nature, with God. And to explain this religation sacred science is not sufficient nor a ritualistic religion.
The present moment is inviting us to understand that beyond the concepts of homeland, nation, religion, sex, etc. is the essential concept of human dignity that gives all citizens category and status of universals.
This being so, an ethical banking system is using the money from their customers to improve the world, to enhance the harmony between people and peoples.
Our money should not stop at financial institutions that destroy the environment, does not respect human rights, etc. Peace can only be built if we support it with an ethical bank.
Trido Bank represents, since 1968, creating a different Bank, implemented in several countries, including Spain. Has grown more and has shown no longer be a dream. This Bank is financing activities that do not reach conventional banking, school, art, development cooperation projects, religious activities, etc. The bank, after careful consideration, given the money and provided it can be recovered, even in the long term. The capital is held by some 12,000 shareholders, none of which can hold more than 10%. Is regulated by the Bank of Spain (host country) and towards the Dutch Central Bank (home country).
2. A bench
values \u200b\u200b
In 2009, there is the alliance of eleven banks (including the Triodos Bank), specializing in "ethical banks" foundational assets totaling more than 10,000 million dollars. Its goal is to help create a positive ALTERNATIVE global financial system in crisis, with the assurance of having the potential to introduce innovative improvements. The model combines the social and environmental performance.
Giving money to others to make is the opposite of selfishness. When we give, we act in line with the purest of our being and we are free: we contribute to the good, development and happiness of humanity and the planet.
Joan Antoni Melé Cartañá, studied
Sciences and Physical Sciences UB, and later economic sciences.
For thirty years of banking profession
had the opportunity to observe and learn first hand
the relationship of people with money and the consequences resulting
. Since 2006, works in banking ethics as Triodos Bank
Territorial Diretor of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, an activity that combines
the lecturer of issues soiceconómicos and humanities.