Bazaars, Conversations & Freedom

Long before the financial meltdown and the red alert on climate change some far-sighted innovators diagnosed the fatal flaws in an economic system driven by greed and fear. Across the global North and South diverse people-financial wizards economists business persons and social activists-have been challenging the 'free market' orthodoxy. They seek to recover the virtues of bazaars from the tyranny of a market model that emerged about two centuries ago. This book is a chronicle of their adventures. From Wall Street icon George Soros and VISA card designer Dee Hock we get an insider critique of the malaise. Creators of community currencies and others like the father of microfinance Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus explore how money can work differently. The doctrine of self-interest is re-examined by looking more closely at Adam Smith through the eyes of Amartya Sen. Mahatma Gandhi's concept of 'Trusteeship' gathers strength as the socially responsible investing phenomenon challenges the power of capital. Pioneers of the open source and free software movement thrive on cooperation to drive innovation. The Dalai Lama and Ela Bhatt demonstrate that it is possible to compete compassionately and to nurture a more mindful market culture. This sweeping narrative takes you from the ancient Greek Agora Indian choupal and Native American gift culture onto present day Wall Street to illuminate ideas subversive and prudent about how the market can serve society rather than being its master. In a world exhausted by dogma Bazaars Conversations and Freedom is an open quest for possible futures. About the Author Rajni Bakshi was educated at Indraprastha College Delhi George Washington University Washington DC and the University of Rajasthan Jaipur. She has been writing for a wide range of English and Hindi publications for the last three decades. Her previous works include: The Long Haul: The Bombay Textile Workers Strike The Dispute Over Swami Vivekananda's Legacy: A Warning and an Opportunity Bapu Kuti: Journeys in Rediscovery of Gandhi LETS Make it Happen: Alternative Economics and An Economics for Well-Being. She lives in Mumbai and is associated with the Centre for Education and Documentation. She also serves on the board of Citizens for Peace as well as Child Rights and You.