Pathways to a Mindful Economy

Abstract

Mindful Economics is centered on the core values of social justice, the well-being and sustainability of all life, and economic stability. The ultimate goal is to provide guidelines for broader movements of community development. Beginning at the local level, people can build new institutions by creating community corporations that have these values written into their corporate charters, bylaws and articles of incorporation. As the Mindful Economics movement grows, key businesses, financial institutions, government agencies and labor unions in the local community can all be organized along these values. Mindful Economics is also based on the idea that economic institutions are embedded within a broader cultural milieu. With a common set of shared values, these institutions can embed themselves into the local community and cohere with other institutions. Together they can evolve into broader economic systems. In community-based systems economic activity is rooted in democratic processes, socially controlled by an active citizenry, and shaped by core values shared by people in their communities.