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Money Reform - Making it Happen!
by James Robertson and John Bunzl
Pressures for a new political economy are becoming stronger as worldwide protest against the present form of globalisation, coupled with anxiety about American 'imperialism', continues to grow. The new political economy will need to combine economic efficiency to enable people to meet their needs with justice between people and sparing use of natural resources ('environmental sustainability'). It will require changes in today's economic and political institutions - particularly those concerned with the workings of money and finance.
These changes will have a vital international dimension. As a practical example of how it might be necessary to handle this, this book explores the possible scope for linking two proposals that have come forward in Britain during the past three years. One is for monetary reform as proposed by Joseph Huber and James Robertson in 2000. The other is for Simultaneous Policy, as proposed by John Bunzl in 2001. Simultaneous Policy is a general strategic approach, providing citizens with a novel way to use their votes to bring about desirable reforms in many countries simultaneously to overcome the objection that a single country implementing them would risk capital flight or damage to its international competitiveness.
This is the first in the International Simultaneous Policy Organisation's series of short books called the ISPO 'Making it Happen!' series. Each book will discuss the relevance of the Simultaneous Policy (SP) campaign to a specific major reform proposal as put forward by a prominent and well-respected advocate. Each will also provide a practical strategy aimed at helping activists and campaigners to hasten implementation, both nationally and internationally.
Endorsements:
"[This book] clarifies the pressing need for monetary reform as one of the essential foundations of a sustainable global economy. Opposition to such reforms by the Washington Consensus, including even minimal taxes on currency trading to reduce speculation, is beginning to crumble!
Developing countries are now banding together to oppose the hypocrisies of conventional trade, finance and banking promoted by the IMF, the WTO and their special interest supporters. Overcoming the global grip of this Washington Consensus will require continued and expanded civil society campaigning -- which can include promotion of the Simultaneous Policy strategy of concerted introduction of these reforms in many countries -- in a similar way that the Group of 21, led by Brasil, China and India were able to expose the hypocrisies of US and EU protectionism at the WTO Cancun Summit."
Hazel Henderson, author of Beyond Globalization and other books, and partner with the Calvert Group of socially responsible mutual funds in the USA.
"These proposals for monetary reform - how money should come into existence - are really very simple, though the subject appears complicated. They are easily accessible to anyone who knows the present system is not working for most of humanity. The international civil society movement for change has reached a critical mass. It needs practical alternatives. Robertson and Bunzl present proposals applicable nationally and internationally that go to the heart of a new economic order."
Margaret Legum, Chair of the Trustees of the South African New Economics network.
"Monetary reform, land reform, and ecological tax reform are the key building blocks of a socially just, new economy. Simultaneous Policy is the essential organising tool to enable global citizens to achieve political implementation."
Pat Conaty, Senior Research Associate, New Economics Foundation.
"Creating a sustainable and just world remains an elusive yet deeply noble cause. The contribution of our debt-based monetary system to the workings of the global economy needs to be much better understood. Global monetary reform, as so ably outlined here, is an essential precondition for real change. This book fills an important gap in our knowledge."
Herbert Girardet, Chairman of Schumacher Society, UK.
"As one would expect from the authors concerned 'Monetary Reform- Making it Happen!' makes a stimulating addition to a debate about one of the most important, but as yet too inadequately understood, changes required to the financial system globally."
Colin Hines, Author, Localisation-a global manifesto
"A wonderfully clear exposition of two very important ideas, which could be of mutual assistance although neither needs the other for support."
Richard Douthwaite, Author, The Growth Illusion and Short Circuit, and a founder of the Irish NGO, Feasta"
"This proposal of Robertson and Bunzl will create a new starting point for the discussion of realistic and practical ways and means to create the necessary changes for a more just global society. The combination of approaches to monetary reform and democratic-decision making across national boundaries could offer a win-win solution for both. It will resonate positively with a growing number of Cultural Creatives around the globe, aiming to promote the changes necessary for a more just and democratic world order."
Prof. Dr. Margrit Kennedy Author, Interest and Inflation Free Money; consultant in complementary currencies; director of money reform workshops, Steyerberg, Germany.
Published by: International Simultaneous Policy Organisation, London.
Publication Date: 1st January 2004. Copies can be ordered from ISPO.
ISBN: 0-9546727-0-4
Price: £5.00 Paperback (£6.00 including postage & packing.) Please make cheques payable to "ISPO". Profits accruing to Mr. J. Bunzl go to supporting the SP campaign.
Copies available direct from: International Simultaneous Policy Organisation. Contact details below. Or available from bookshops.
International prices (Including postage and packing): Contact ISPO for details.
Next in the series: "Global Cooperation - Making it Happen!" (provisional title) to be co-authored by the well-known author, evolutionary biologist and futurist, Elisabet Sahtouris, and John Bunzl. Anticipated publication: Winter 2004.
The Simultaneous Policy (SP) is a global campaign now operating in over 20 countries around the world. For further information and to pledge your vote, please visit/contact:
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International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (ISPO) P.O. Box 26547, London SE3 7YT, UK
http://www.simpol.org [email protected]
Simultaneous Policy: Today it's our process for re-gaining control; Tomorrow it's our policy for changing the world
Simultaneous Policy: Voted amongst the top 25 initiatives changing the world of politics using the internet in PoliticsOnline's 2003 worldwide survey. http://www.politicsonline.com