Editorial
As part of our continuing review of how we understand associative economics, in this issue we touch on the idea of a free spiritual life. Central to associative economics and linked to the tradition of Western liberal individualism, the idea is explored in such a way that its economic and societal dimension is emphasised.
We begin by introducing the idea as articulated by Rudolf Steiner, though not meaning it as something unique to him, but as a description of a much-needed condition of the times. This entails such diverse yet related themes as overcoming blood-ties, recognising one's destiny and putting capital at the disposition of young people.
In Sign of Our Times the reference to Steiner is then provided with a foil in the form of economic liberalism. Are these worlds hopelessly opposed or might there be a baby in the bathwater?
In Intuitive Economics, we then focus on something crucial to any free spirit: intuition and in particular the vital part intuition plays in economic life. Here again one can get a sense of what associative economics entails, not in terms of a scheme to be introduced but as characteristics to be discovered and fostered, aspects of today's reality that are far more latent, and indeed present, than may be wont to think.
Crowd Funding provides an excellent example of personal rather than real credit, of taking someone's initiative as security not his house. Of funding that includes at the same time that all-important ingredient: a vote of confidence.
This month's AE-Exchange pages are mainly devoted to extracts from the on-going lively discussion about how to articulate and represent associative economics publicly.
Accounting Corner completes the issue with its consideration of intuition seen from an accounting perspective.
