The Real Wealth of Portland: Supporting a More Caring Economy

Making the invisible economy visible; Moving to an economy that fosters social & economic justice, and peace.

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Terms & Definitions

Einstein: “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

Eisler: "We can start with something simple: changing the conversation about economics."

Page references are to the book The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics by Riane Eisler.

Economics. The social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods & services. p. 33, p. 242n10

Caring. Activities guided by a caring orientation; the civic labor of building healthy communities, the social justice of progressive social movements, the environmental labor needed to preserve a healthy natural environment. p. 17

Caring economics/partnerism. Supports mutually respectful & caring relations. Abuse and violence are not culturally accepted, trust and mutual respect are; equal partnership between men and women. p. 31 & 102

The Old Economic Map. Consists of three areas of economic activities: (1) market economy, (2) government economy, (3) illegal economy. p.13

The New Economic Map. Includes three additional sectors: (1) household economy, (2) unpaid community economy, (3) natural economy. p.12

Each piece of the economic map changes as economic theories evolve. Each piece is shaped by cultural beliefs and institutions, rules, policies and practices, and by the particular structure and organization of goals and objectives.

Economic Indicators. The functionality of any particular economic theory is observed and evaluated in terms of economic indicators – measures of economic health.

GNP (Gross National Product) and GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The economic indicators used to evaluate the old economic map. They leave out activities that aren’t monetized and include the economic costs of wars & oil spills on the “plus” side of the ledger. p. 16, 37 In this model caring is considered irrelevant to a well-functioning economy. p. 46

GHP (Gross Household Product). The value added to the economy from unpaid household work.

GMP (Gross Market Product). The value added by the market economy.

GEP (Gross Economic Product). The sum of GHP & GMP. These new economic measures have been proposed by economist Duncan Ironmonger. p.82, p. 220

Important Concepts

Human Capital (people) and Nature. The real wealth of nations. p. 58-59
It is in our power to imagine the world we want for ourselves and our children. p. 235

Hierarchies of Actualization. Such hierarchies exist to get things done, but not to dominate: people are empowered, not disempowered; accountability and respect flow down as well as up; input comes from all levels. p.31


The Real Wealth of Portland: Supporting a More Caring Economy
a program of The Economic Justice Action Group, First Unitarian Church, Portland, OR
503-475-7509 • info@realwealthpdx.com