Economic Secularism
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Transcript of Economic Secularism
Joffre BalcePhilorum 4 March 2014
Economic Secularism
The Case of the Victim at Fault
You shouldn’t have been there!
Insh’Allah!
Shouldn’t there be an investigation?
The Case of the US Sub Prime Crisis
It is the government’s fault for forcing banks
to lend to 1st time homeowners.
So bail us out & exercise fiscal
discipline/austerity for the poor!
Let us help via regulation to serve people’s basic needs/ rights ...
My bad. Let me correct & protect the market & bail banks out.
Political SecularismSeparation of Church & State
Freedom of & from ReligionGeorge Jacob Holyoake (1817 -1906)
Hard: rejection of religionSoft: skepticism of claims; demand for
evidence & factsUS & French Revolution
The end of state religion
A Bit of HistoryMaharajah Ranjit Singh: Not a Western
PhenomenonPunjab, 1st Half of 19 CETo overcome the caste system
Western Age of EnlightenmentFrench Revolution 18th CETo check the collaboration between Church &
Royalty against the interest of the larger society
Aspirations of a Secular SocietyRefuses to commit itself as a whole to any one view
of the nature of the universe and the role of man in it.Is not homogeneous, but is pluralistic.Is tolerant. It widens the sphere of private decision-
making.While every society must have some common aims,
which implies there must be agreed on methods of problem-solving, and a common framework of law; in a secular society these are as limited as possible.
Problem solving is approached rationally, through examination of the facts. While the secular society does not set any overall aim, it helps its members realize their aims.
Is a society without any official images. Nor is there a common ideal type of behaviour with universal application. The Idea of a Secular
Society, D. L. Munby, London, Oxford University Press, 1963, pp. 14–32.
Positive Ideals of a Secular SocietyDeep respect for individuals and the small
groups of which they are a part.Equality of all people.Each person should be helped to realize
their particular excellence.Breaking down of the barriers of class and
caste
The Idea of a Secular Society, D. L. Munby, London, Oxford University Press, 1963, pp. 14–32.
InterpretationsNot atheism or an
aversion to religionMore free, critical &
creative thinking
Political neutrality & impartiality
The right to question & explore/present alternative solutions
Historical ParallelsUS & French
Revolution that led to Political SecularismRoyaltyChurchCommoners
Outnumbered & Practically a Disenfranchised Voter
Global Financial Crisis that must lead to Economic SecularismGovernmentCorporationsWorkforce
Work is a Commodity, Not a Right
Solutions then & NowDeclaration of the
Rights of ManNecessary for human
dignityRights are not
endowed by a god or governments
Inherent, intrinsic & inalienable to man
Universal in acceptance & respect
Universal & Equal Suffrage
Legal & Operational Definition of a HumanCorporations & other
institutions are NOT human beings whose rights do not supercede or subordinate a human’s
Must be decided by the people through science
Citizen’s Dividend/ Basic Safety Net
Reforms NeededDe-Commercializing
the Exercise of Suffrage
Stop Commodifying Rights. Uphold Them!By all means, protest!
Repeal the Legal Fiction of Corporate PersonhoodThe right to profit
does not trump the right to a dignified life
Democratising the Management of the Currency & TreasuryDirect
Representation but Non-Partisan
Balance Needs & Debasement of Currency
Fiscal ReformsLand Value TaxationCitizen’s Dividend
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATIONTHANK YOU!
Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.~ William Butler Yeats
Damn the gods! Learn to make your own fire!