Kyoto Manifesto for Global Economics

This book confronts the failings of current global economics to deliver the equity, sustainability and community empowerment which humanity now needs to handle a troubled future. The volume proposes an economy built from our society, not the other way around. The Kyoto Manifesto was built, layer by layer, over a period of 4 years, based on broad-ranging international symposia held in Kyoto between 2014 and 2017, hosted by the Center for the Creative Economy, Doshisha University. It does not stop at theory and untested ideas, however, but proposes practical action that will make a difference. The book is unique and innovative for it moves adventurously across very broad territory. The Manifesto draws from both Eastern and Western philosophy and a critique of "liberalism". It also explores sociology, cultural anthropology, and primatology as it relates to early humanity. Considered as well are politics, political economics, and mainstream post-1972 economics, drawing from works by E.F.Schumacher, Amartya Sen, and Donald Phelps as well as from direct practical experience working to empower disadvantaged communities through the United Nations. Most importantly, the book's analysis is deeply informed by the practice of searching for what is "sacred", the ultimate essence of our humanity, what we can be as a human race - empowered, fulfilled individuals, deeply sharing and caring for each other across our separate cultures and lives. Stomu Yamash'ta's On Zen performances, linked with the Symposia, bring different religions and cultures together across their dividing boundaries into a coherent search for peace and harmony through sacred music. Explorations in quantum and cosmic theory are complementary as they explore harmonic interconnectedness across space through lessons from natural science. Informed by the alternate cultural paradigms for economics, the book probes deeply into philosophies and practices that already exist within Eastern and Western societies, and offer lessons for our future. The result is an economics that stresses harmony with nature, and balance in social relations. It places an emphasis on community - human sharing and trust - as a platform for our future, not separate from the global economy but integrated into its very foundations. This is a book for all who care: a plan for our sustainable future built from the best of what our humanity is and can offer.