Economic bionics experts warn of lockdown lethargy
Künzelsau,12.01.2021 - A spirit of optimism is in short supply at the beginning of the new year; lively exchange - nowhere to be found. Not only in cities and nocturnal streets, cafés, restaurants, cinemas and theatres there is an eerie silence. Worries, fears and growing insecurity are causing more and more people to literally fall silent in their isolation. Yet, according to the business bionics researchers at Gradido Academy, it has never been more important than now for people to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings with each other, and for thought leaders and visionaries to network in order to shape the world of tomorrow. For the researchers at Gradido Academy, the global crisis marks not only an opportunity, but also an urgent need to set a new course for the future. With its Gradido concept of common good, the independent research institute presents a model that is fit for the future and invites us to no longer remain speechless in a state of shock, but to enter into a discussion about what a life worth living after the crisis might look like.
For more than 20 years, the economic pioneers of the Gradido Academy have been exploring ways to a better economic and financial system. The basis of their developments are the success models of nature. Their driving force: the long-held realization that a collapse of the global economic system is inevitable if no fundamental course correction is made. For Bernd Hückstädt, the co-founder of the research institute, the Corona crisis is therefore not the cause, but only the accelerant for the massive global problems. "Many things in our lives will change permanently. But this is not just a lamentable loss. Rather, we now also have the chance to correct mistakes that doomed the prevailing system to failure anyway - and not just in terms of the economic and financial model, but also in terms of education, communication, conservation, and community care."
"Like under a burning glass, the major social problems of our time are now presenting themselves," adds Margret Baier, the owner and co-founder of the academy: "The lack of nursing staff, childcare and affordable housing. The missed investments in nature conservation and environmental protection. The inadequate financial provision for freelancers, families and the elderly. The increasing social divide, which affects educational opportunities and career prospects as well as life in old age. Flanked by the lack of appreciation and responsibility for each other, drying up communication and growing isolation."
"In this state of emergency, more and more people are recognizing the need for a fundamental course correction. But many are merely reacting with sheer fear," observes Bernd Hückstädt and explains: "Of course, the concern is justified because the old system has definitely failed. But there are also good reasons for hope and confidence, because the prevailing economic and financial system is by no means without alternative. Our gradido concept has what it takes to transform the change in our previous way of life from a threatening spectre into a promising vision of the future that also offers our grandchildren a perspective."
Gradido model for a fairer world
Researchers at the Academy, which has been investigating for more than 20 years which of nature's success models could put the economy and finance on a sustainable footing, have identified the fatal flaws of the prevailing financial system: The creation of money through debt and the complete disregard for the natural cycle of becoming and perishing.
End of the debt-money principle
Accordingly, the Gradido model, which has been developed over decades at the Academy of Economic Bionics, takes its leave entirely of the previous debt money principle with its type of money creation and relies on a new 'money creation through life'. Furthermore, the common good currency 'Gradido' - according to the natural cycle of becoming and perishing - includes a planned annual perishability of 50 % to keep the money supply constant.
The triple good for man and nature
In fact, 3 x 1,000 Gradido would be drawn for each person per month. 1,000 Gradido each for the 'Active Basic Income', for the public budget and the Equalisation and Environmental Fund. According to the basic Gradido principle of the 'Threefold Good', the personal needs of each individual as well as the state budget and the necessary measures for the protection of nature, the environment and the climate would be financed.
The 'Active Basic Income' ensures provision and development
The 'Active Basic Income', which gives every person the chance to contribute to the community with activities of their own choice for their own basic security, creates not only security of supply but also the opportunity to explore new inclinations and talents and thus to develop their full potential. The 'Unconditional Participation' of people of all ages in the community can create a fruitful basis for a lively and solidary coexistence of generations. The generous financing of the state budget could give people the security of sufficient old-age and health care. And the equalization and environmental fund integrated in the Gradido model would also be large enough to finance all the necessary environmental measures and create abundant jobs in this field.
No time for lockdown lethargy
"Our urgent concern is to make people aware of how important it is that no one wastes their time in lockdown lethargy. Instead, we should now pave the way to a better world together and to this end - despite all contact restrictions - actively seek exchange and solidarity in order to counter the gloomy despondency with joyful expectation," Hückstädt sums up.
For details of the complete 'Gradido model' see https://gradido.net
About the Gradido Academy
The Gradido Academy for Economic Bionics has developed an alternative 'common good currency' based on the models of nature. Nature follows the rule that only where something passes away can something new emerge, and thus long-term improvement (evolution) is possible. Its recipe for success is the 'cycle of life'. If our economy were also to follow this natural cycle, then, according to the assessment of the bionic economists, practically all the world's monetary problems could be solved. The Gradido model is based on the idea that not only every person, but also every state receives income generated on a credit basis. It can thus fulfil all its tasks without having to collect taxes. Deflation or inflation are a thing of the past. The economy is freed from the constant compulsion to grow, the danger of a collapse of the financial system is finally averted.(www.gradido.net)