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A Civil Economy: Transforming the Marketplace in the Twenty-First Century (Evolving Values for a Capitalist World)

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The term "civil society" became popular in the late 20th century as a critique of Marxism and communism. Civil society represented hope in the midst of fallen communist states and offered an alternative to statism and overgrown governments. But its definition remained vague, failing to address the issues of capitalism and failing to explain the reason for communist revolutions. Instead, it envisioned an "active citizenship" to be taken through voluntary associations, but it did not address problems in the capitalist system. Civil society was conceived in the United States as "those domains of activity that Americans occupy when they are engaged neither in government (voting, serving on juries, paying taxes).............................. " In this book, however, the author focuses on the development of civil markets. The market is a powerful force, and ever more pivotal today with the growth of a global economy. More and more people study the business system: people who are retired; civic leaders; academicians; investors; financial analysts; consultants in business and management; public policymakers; researchers who work for labor; philanthropic organizations; social critics; and social activists. Everyone is keeping an eye on the market not only for his or her survival, but because the market is changing the course of society. While the growth of markets brings promise, Bruyn argues that there is a corresponding concern. Could market values distort values in other institutions, such as home, family, education, government, or even religion? Could the core values of other institutions diminish, perhaps turn toward business interests? Could the goal of economic growth threaten the natural environment or even human survival on earth? Such questions remain critical to the future of markets and states. This book starts with the premise that the economy is embedded in the whole of society -- business, government and the Third Sector, otherwise known as civic groups. The economy is not the same as business just as government is not the same as the state. The following definitions are important when creating a framework to explain development in the whole of society. Bruyn defines "economy" to be where people make their livelihood. The economy is about survival and scarcity, he says, but it is also interwoven into the whole society, and inter-bound with social life. Similarly, the concept of "government" is identified with the state, but it is actually woven into the fabric of society. Political scientists acknowledge that all associations require governance. "Government" in its broad meaning refers to the management of any association, including, for example, the government of a church, a university, a union, or a trade association. In this book, you will find a new mode of thought about civil (self) governance in a market system. The book is superb.