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Title A not-for-profit economy for a regenerative sustainable world
ID_Doc 80010
Authors Hinton, Jennifer B
Published In Transformation Literacy: Pathways to Regenerative Civilizations, pp. 187-201. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022.
Structure Here are the sections with two sentences each:

13.1 Introduction


This chapter discusses how society's relationship with profit plays a significant role in determining social and ecological outcomes. The relationship-to-profit concept is a key building block of the economy, and understanding it is crucial for creating a sustainable economy.

13.2 The Institutional Building Blocks of the Economy


Relationship-to-profit refers to the legal distinction between for-profit and not-for-profit forms of business, encompassing financial rights and legal purpose. This distinction is a fundamental aspect of the economy, and its impact on sustainability is significant, as it determines how businesses prioritize profit and social benefit.

13.2.1 Relationship-To-Profit is a Legal Dimension of Business


The relationship-to-profit concept is a formal economic institution that includes financial rights and legal purpose, which are essential for organizing the economy. The not-for-profit type of business has a legal responsibility to deliver social benefit, and its financial self-sufficiency allows it to have more control over its operations.

13.2.2 The Informal Dimensions of Relationship-To-Profit


The relationship-to-profit concept also has informal social dimensions, reflecting assumptions about human nature, motivation, and needs. The for-profit economy is guided by outdated economic myths, while the not-for-profit economy is driven by social and ecological needs.

13.3 The System Dynamics of Relationship-To-Profit


The for-profit economy is characterized by unsustainable system dynamics, driven by consumerism, environmental damage, inequality, market concentration, and political capture. In contrast, the not-for-profit economy is more sustainable, with a focus on social and ecological benefits, and a feedback loop that signals when needs are met.

13.3.1 The For-Profit Economy is Unsustainable


The for-profit economy tends to drive unsustainable system dynamics, such as consumerism, environmental damage, and inequality. The financial gain purpose and private financial rights lead to exploitation and degradation of the environment and social structures.

13.3.2 A Not-For-Profit Economy Provides a Basis for Sustainability


The not-for-profit economy provides a basis for sustainability, with a focus on social and ecological benefits, and a feedback loop that signals when needs are met. Not-for-profit businesses can be expected to be more sustainable due to their social benefit purpose and collective financial rights.

13.4 A Regenerative Not-For-Profit Economy


A regenerative not-for-profit economy requires a fundamental shift in social norms, values, and institutions, with a focus on sustainability, ecological stewardship, and human well-being. The economy must be based on an understanding of humans as part of nature and must be guided by a vision of a better system.

13.5 Transformation Pathways


A major transformation of the economy requires a global social movement motivated by a collective vision of a better system, and a gradual process of institutional change. The not-for-profit economy provides a basis for this transformation, but it must be supported by a large social movement and top-down policies.

13.6 Conclusion


The relationship-to-profit concept is a critical aspect of the economy, and understanding it is essential for creating a sustainable economy. The not-for-profit economy provides a basis for sustainability, but it must be supported by a global social movement and institutional change to achieve a regenerative sustainable world.
Summary The current economic system, based on the pursuit and accumulation of private wealth, is unsustainable and contributes to social and ecological crises. The relationship-to-profit, which refers to the legal distinction between for-profit and not-for-profit forms of business, plays a critical role in determining the sustainability of an economy. Not-for-profit businesses, which generate revenue from the sale of goods and services, offer a viable alternative to the for-profit economy. However, the not-for-profit category includes various business types, and the concept of social enterprise is often used to describe businesses with social missions. The not-for-profit sector has the potential to replace the for-profit economy, but its growth is hindered by the dominance of for-profit businesses. A not-for-profit economy could be organized as a market composed of not-for-profit businesses, where all economic activity and profit would be oriented toward social benefit. This would eliminate the accumulation of private wealth and the exploitation of workers and resources. A regenerative not-for-profit economy would prioritize social and ecological well-being, and could be based on principles such as sufficiency, cooperation, and ecological stewardship. The transformation of the economy would require a global social movement and a new set of institutions and policies. Ultimately, a not-for-profit economy offers a systemic transformation that addresses the sustainability crises of the 21st century.
Scientific Methods The article presents research on the concept of a not-for-profit economy, which is defined as an economic system where businesses and markets are organized to prioritize social and ecological benefits over private financial gain. The author argues that this type of economy can provide a more sustainable and equitable alternative to the current for-profit economy, which is characterized by excessive consumption, inequality, and environmental degradation.

The research methods used in this article can be identified in several areas:

1.
Literature review
: The author reviews existing literature on economics, sociology, and environmental studies to understand the concept of a not-for-profit economy and its potential benefits.
2.
System dynamics analysis
: The author uses system dynamics analysis to model the dynamics of the for-profit economy and the potential dynamics of a not-for-profit economy. This involves creating causal loop diagrams to illustrate the relationships between key variables in the system.
3.
Case studies
: The author conducts case studies of not-for-profit businesses and organizations to illustrate the feasibility and potential of this type of economy.
4.
Conceptual analysis
: The author engages in conceptual analysis to explore the meaning and implications of the concept of a not-for-profit economy, including its relationship to traditional economic institutions and its potential to promote sustainability and equity.
5.
Policy analysis
: The author analyzes existing policies and laws that could support or hinder the development of a not-for-profit economy, including tax policies, labor laws, and environmental regulations.
6.
Critical thinking
: The author employs critical thinking to challenge existing assumptions and conventional wisdom about the economy and to argue for a more radical transformation of economic institutions.

Some specific research methods mentioned in the article include:

*
Case studies
: The author conducts case studies of not-for-profit businesses and organizations, such as charities, cooperatives, and social enterprises.
*
Causal loop diagrams
: The author uses causal loop diagrams to model the dynamics of the for-profit economy and the potential dynamics of a not-for-profit economy.
*
System thinking
: The author applies system thinking to analyze the relationships between key variables in the system and to identify potential feedback loops and path dependencies.
*
Literature review
: The author reviews existing literature on economics, sociology, and environmental studies to understand the concept of a not-for-profit economy and its potential benefits.
*
Conceptual analysis
: The author engages in conceptual analysis to explore the meaning and implications of the concept of a not-for-profit economy, including its relationship to traditional economic institutions and its potential to promote sustainability and equity.

Overall, the article employs a range of research methods to build a case for a not-for-profit economy as a more sustainable and equitable alternative to the current for-profit economy.
Article contribution The article "A Not-For-Profit Economy for a Regenerative Sustainable World" by Jennifer B. Hinton makes a significant contribution to the field of regenerative economics by proposing an alternative economic system based on not-for-profit (NFP) businesses. Here are some key contributions and insights from the article:

1.
Reframing the relationship between profit and sustainability
: The article highlights the importance of rethinking the relationship between profit and sustainability. Traditional economic systems prioritize profit, which leads to environmental degradation, inequality, and social crises. In contrast, an NFP economy focuses on social benefit, which can lead to more sustainable and equitable outcomes.
2.
Understanding the institutional building blocks of the economy
: Hinton explains that relationship-to-profit is a fundamental institution that shapes the economy. The article highlights the differences between for-profit and NFP businesses, including their financial rights, legal purpose, and nondistribution constraint.
3.
The systemic dynamics of for-profit and NFP economies
: The article presents a comparison of the systemic dynamics of for-profit and NFP economies. The for-profit economy is characterized by financial gain, consumerism, environmental degradation, inequality, and market concentration. In contrast, the NFP economy is focused on social benefit, collective financial rights, and environmentally sustainable practices.
4.
The potential for NFP economies to drive sustainability
: The article suggests that NFP economies can provide a foundation for sustainable development. By prioritizing social benefit, NFP businesses can drive innovation, create jobs, and promote economic growth while minimizing environmental degradation and social inequality.
5.
A vision for a regenerative sustainable world
: The article presents a vision for a regenerative sustainable world, where the economy is organized around social benefit and environmentally sustainable practices. This vision is based on the idea that humans are a complex and context-dependent species, and that our needs are best met outside of the economy.

Overall, the article makes a significant contribution to the field of regenerative economics by proposing an alternative economic system based on not-for-profit businesses. The article highlights the importance of rethinking the relationship between profit and sustainability, and presents a vision for a regenerative sustainable world that prioritizes social benefit and environmentally sustainable practices.

Key takeaways:


* The relationship-to-profit is a fundamental institution that shapes the economy.
* For-profit and NFP economies have different systemic dynamics, with the for-profit economy prioritizing financial gain and the NFP economy prioritizing social benefit.
* NFP economies can provide a foundation for sustainable development by driving innovation, creating jobs, and promoting economic growth while minimizing environmental degradation and social inequality.
* A regenerative sustainable world can be achieved by prioritizing social benefit and environmentally sustainable practices.

Recommendations:


* Policymakers should consider creating an NFP economy that prioritizes social benefit and environmentally sustainable practices.
* Businesses should prioritize social benefit and environmentally sustainable practices to drive innovation and create jobs.
* Individuals should consider supporting NFP businesses and advocating for policies that promote sustainable development.

Limitations:


* The article assumes that NFP economies are a viable alternative to traditional economic systems, which may not be the case in all contexts.
* The article does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the potential challenges and limitations of NFP economies.
* The article assumes that humans are a complex and context-dependent species, which may not be the case in all contexts.

Future research directions:


* Investigating the potential challenges and limitations of NFP economies.
* Analyzing the impact of NFP economies on sustainable development and social inequality.
* Examining the role of policy and institutional frameworks in supporting or hindering NFP economies.
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