Hello Julien,
Thanks for your message and for taking a look at the Simultaneous Policy
(SP) website.
You are probably right that one should not pay attention to those who are
seeking to push their own 'party' so perhaps the comments of other people
who are familiar with SP may be more objective. They follow at the end of
this message. On the other hand, if any of us feel we have a solution to the
impending crisis (however misguided or wrong that feeling or solution may
be), it would surely be a bit silly not to push it or talk about it. For not
to do so, or not to discuss with a view to developing solutions together -
particularly when the Crash is approaching - would surely render this
discussion list merely a talking shop. (Which I don't believe to be its
intention.)
I would like to make two comments on some of the points you raised:
1. The policies or measures put forward under SP remain merely proposals. It
is open for all those who adopt SP to partake in formulating the final
measures of SP. There is an opportunity on the site to put forward your own
ideas and criticisms, etc. I can accept that some of the policy proposals
put forward might not be appropriate and I can see your point about Third
World governments submitting to development carried out by outside agencies
being seen as a kind of imperialism. As far as IPRs are concerned, I am not
aware of any specific proposal on the site.
2. Malaysian capital controls. To answer your point, please see the
following exerpt from my book:
Some argue that nation states still have options to control capital flows
and thus to protect their economies citing Malaysia or Chile as examples.
But I suggest that these exceptions merely serve to prove the rule. After
all, those countries only imposed capital controls when faced with the
direct threat of imminent economic crisis such as the South American or
South-East Asian crises and therefore had little to lose by taking that
action. Those circumstances can hardly be compared to the economies of the
major industrialised countries who face, and are unlikely ever to face, any
such threat. Indeed, it is highly questionable whether even the G-7
countries acting together could risk contemplating such action for fear of
capital fleeing to Hong Kong, Zurich or other financial centres. It is
therefore necessary, I believe, to face the reality that, by and large,
capital controls can be imposed only in the exceptional case when the
consequences of imminent economic crisis effectively mean the country
concerned has less to lose by imposing such controls than by not doing so:
i.e. when it is the lesser of two evils. Barring a financial crisis of truly
global proportions, such a situation is unlikely ever to arise for the G-7.
The opinions of others follow:
"I thought your proposal was an elegant idea of how change could occur. It
reflects the core ideas of how to create consensus around change. This is
the biggest challenge that we have"
Ed Mayo
Executive Director, New Economics Foundation
"Is it a good idea? My answer is: Maybe it could prove to be."
James Robertson
Former cabinet policy maker and author of
Schumacher Briefing 1 - Transforming Economic Life
"It is a good idea. What we need is politicians who will give this issue a
high priority."
Polly Toynbee
The Guardian
"Your idea for a simultaneous policy is excellent. . Lets hope that people
start to listen to this important message."
Helena Norberg-Hodge
Founder of the International Forum on Globalisation
and Director of the International Society for Ecology & Culture
"It's ambitious and provocative. Can it work? Certainly worth a serious
try."
Noam Chomsky
".the basic concept is excellent. . Let me know what develops!"
Jakob von Uexkull
Founder and Chairman - Right Livelihood Award Foundation
".well argued and well thought out. It goes against our bias for the human
scale but may be necessary."
Nicholas Albery
Chairman - The Institute for Social Inventions
".compelling and provocative. The structure and progression of the [book]
fit your argument perfectly."
Moises Naim
Editor-in-Chief - Foreign Policy. USA
"Your main theme is a crucial one and I hope it will be heeded. .your
approach is unusual because most authors concentrate on 'what' first and
leave 'how' as a secondary consideration - or duck it altogether."
David Griffiths
Author of All This and Unemployment Too.
".I believe [the Simultaneous Policy] offers a prophetic and practical
approach to the global politico-economic problems of our generation. .
Certainly it is one which would appeal to Quakers."
Stephen Whiting
Quaker Peace and Service - London.
"Bunzl is, I feel, the first writer on the 'sustainable society' to advance
beyond rhetoric and grapple with the problem of how such a society might be
achieved."
Dr. Aidan Rankin
'New European' (European Business Review) - UK.
"Your [book] eloquently describes the crucial problems facing the world
today. It explores the inadequacy of the nation state in dealing with these
problems and the inability of the United Nations to move beyond its current
constraints.
Simultaneous Policy is an elegant theory which takes many ideas from
different places. We must all work to bring these ideas from theory into
practice."
Simon Burall
Executive Director, One World Trust
(in his personal capacity).
".the financial world order has become quite cancerous to both people and
the planet and what is needed are intelligent and creative solutions
appropriate to the situation. Your proposal to create a level playing field
for all that incorporates environmentally sustainable policies is just such
a creative solution."
Richard St. George
Director, the Schumacher Society
(in his personal capacity)
".we concur with your comprehensive and insightful analysis of the challenge
before us. We also agree that social and environmental programmes are being
subordinated to the demands of the global economy and that, if there is a
meaningful remedy to hand, yours is as constructive as any we've seen to
date."
Roger Doudna
International Programme Officer, Restore The Earth Project - Scotland.
".the great merit of your [book] is its proposal for a plausible solution to
the many questions, whose urgency much of the left seems prepared to
ignore."
Dorothy Friedmann
Green Socialist Network - London.
"Wishing you God speed in your endeavours to progress our humankind with the
Simultaneous Policy!"
Godric Bader
Life President - Scott Bader Commonwealth Ltd.
"In a time where so many urgent symptoms claim our attention, it seems there
is not enough courage nor time to address the fundamental roots of global
present problems and viable roads to face them. The Simultaneous Policy is a
simple, peaceful, low-risk and clear invitation for humankind to jump - in
two steps - from a present spiral headed toward auto-destruction, into
another one oriented toward life, cooperation and spiritual growth. To share
is to live."
Emilio Jos� Chaves
".a fantastic idea.a realistic and subtle mixing of sociology, economics and
politics."
Georges Drouet
Author of Non-consommation Contre Neo-colonisation
". most original and well-constructed . a great achievement."
Barbara Panvel
Security Studies Network - UK
"I am sure that The Simultaneous Policy is likely to be of great
interest .[as] a way of striving for an alternative whilst being integrated
in the current economic system..."
Suzanne Ismail
Economic Issues Programme Co-ordinator
Quaker Peace & Service - London, UK
A comment passed on to me:
"Isn't John Bunzl's Simultaneous Policy good stuff?"
Lucy Storrs
World Voices UK
".an essential contribution to the debate that is taking place at this time
of transition and rapid change in society."
Dominic Dibble
World Goodwill - London
Ugh!! What a pushy old sod!! - John Bunzl
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