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Principles of a Permaculture Economy

Book by Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr · 25 quotes · Permaculture Economy, Permaculture Economics, Economics

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Principles of a Permaculture Economy Quotes

“A core element of Permacapital Economics Is the price mechanism. Whereby, individual economic participants determine the prices of the products and services they sell and buy, according to supply and demand. Supply and demand is based on individual choices. Supply and demand determines the production of and prices of products and services. Prices naturally strive for equilibrium, as if being led by an invisible hand. Because buyers will always have a highest price point beyond which they are unwilling to pay for a given product or service, thereby making it unprofitable for sellers to attempt to sell those products or services beyond that price point. Similarly, sellers have a lowest price point beyond which they are unwilling or unable to sell a given product or service. This generally eliminates the existence of products or services which provide no net gain to society. The price system is the most efficient mechanism for ensuring that the needs and desires of buyers and sellers are adequately met among people in society, and that members of society at large has access to the highest quality and quantity of products and services.”

“The Profit function: Individual profits cause collective growth and prosperity. It is necessary for individual people and businesses to profit in a Permaculture Economy where justice is maintained and fairly applied. Profits are earned when efficiency is mastered. With profits, individuals invest in (a) new and innovative means of production which will allow more profits, or (b) buying products and services from other individuals who are also seeking profit by providing value. Profits also incentivize individuals to be productive participants in society to begin with. If there will be no profit in an activity, business or industry, then individuals will decline participation in that activity, business or industry. Since profits are only possible when buyers are satisfied with the productivity of sellers, then it is also true that an individuals willingness to participate in an activity, business or industry is preceded by the buyers satisfaction which allows the seller to profit. But when buyers are dissatisfied and decline participation, it forces sellers to decline participation. Inversely, if profits are eradicated through the force of price-controls by the government, then sellers will decline participation which then causes buyers to decline participation. And when both sellers and buyers decline participation, then whole industries and economies collapse.”

“Overall, capital is the lifeblood of an economy. It enables individuals and organizations to pursue economic opportunities, invest in the future, and drive economic progress. Therefore, understanding the role of capital and its efficient utilization is essential for policymakers, businesses, and individuals involved in economic decision-making.”

“The role of soil in natural ecosystems shares striking similarities with the role of capital in economies. Just as soil serves as the vital resource underpinning natural ecosystems, capital is the foundational resource driving economic systems. In both contexts, the effective allocation of resources, whether capital or nutrients, determines productivity, competitiveness, and overall stability.”

“The distribution of wealth and income is primarily the role and responsibility and freedom of individual people and businesses through their voluntary economic interaction with other people and businesses. And their voluntary exchange of economic value through products, services, and ideas. In this way, social mobility is maximized and a fluid class structure allows for both upward and downward economic movements; this is social justice.”

“The "Push to Perfection Mechanism" is a vital component of a Permacapital Economy. In this type of economy, there is a strong emphasis on timely and voluntary exchange of services and payments between employees, suppliers, and customers. All parties involved expect accountability from businesses, although their expectations differ.”

“Productivity is a crucial economic driver in both capitalism and Permacapital Economics. However, the frameworks differ in their approach to its purpose and the ethical and social considerations that surround its pursuit. Capitalism often prioritizes productivity as a means to maximize profit and economic growth, while Permacapital Economics seeks to harness productivity for sustainable value creation and equitable distribution within ecological limits.”

“A core element of Permacapital Economics is the voluntary exchange of products and services between people, businesses and governments. Each economic participant is free to choose who they will buy from and sell to. There is no force, collusion, or coercion determining the exchange of products or services.”

“In a Permacapital Economy, the patterns of production, the uses of private property, the delegation of resources, the regulation of industry/commerce, and the movement of prices are all based largely on the desires and demands of the consumers, within the reasonable limits of regulation. Too much consumer sovereignty will result in the pursuit of low prices and convenience Being at the expense of good wages, harmony with nature, social cohesion, etc. Too little consumer sovereignty will result in the dominance of government and industry to the extent that the freedoms (liberties) of the people are infringed upon and the efficiency of the whole economy is reduced.”

“It is a matter of efficiency, practicality and productivity that labor as a whole be divided into specialty jobs that come together to produce greater value than could be produced without such division. Businesses will tend to create new jobs which serve a special function. Therefore, workers will be incentivized to skill themselves such that they may be employed in certain functional roles according to their availability in the marketplace. This phenomena contributes to efficiency at scale, in the economy. Any law or policy or cultural trend which inhibits the division of labor will consequently inhibit efficiency in the economy.”

“In a Permacapital Economy, businesses are born and businesses die. When businesses are providing value to customers and society, and doing so with fair prices, better than their competitors - they remain alive. When businesses are unable or unwilling to provide value to customers and society and are overpriced and worse than competitors - they die. The process is determined by what is best for society, naturally, by the various mechanisms at play in the Permacapital Economy.”