This document discusses the need to shift from a "culture of fear" to a "culture of safety and sufficiency" in order to address issues like climate change and economic instability. It proposes focusing on local economies through the "Five P's" - Place, People, Products, Projects, and Payment systems. This approach aims to change the underlying narratives that fuel negative cultures based on scarcity, competition, and powerlessness. Local initiatives bringing people together around food, skills sharing, and celebration can help combine aspects of a "danger culture" focused on risk with a "peace culture" focused on community and positivity.

1. THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS
London, 14th September 2016
Annotated summary
Stephen Hinton
Stephenhinton.org

2. Some eight years ago, we
showed this film hoping to get
people engaged. We wanted
local action; fossil fuel supply
was peaking and going to change
the world economy. The ”boats
that had been floated” by world
economic growth were about to
get stranded, particularly the
least well-off.
People heard the message. We
scared them but they did not get
involved.
Why the inaction?

3. It’s the way people are: we have
a (red) fight, freeze or flee mode
- for danger - and a (blue)
holistic, appreciative, inclusive
mode for peace.
For the red mode -danger - we
are quick to get into it and slow
to get out. For the blue mode –
safe place- we are slow to get in
and quick to leave.
Our message scared them. We
were reinforcing a culture of fear
and helplessness.
FIGHT
FLIGHT
FREEZE
What is this culture?
ASSIST
APPRECIATE
ALTRUISM

4. • There’s not enough to go round
– Grab as much as you can, the
more the better.
• You are on your own
– You have to compete with others.
– You are excluded. Get over it.
• You are powerless
– No point in trying,
We asked ourselves about the
culture we live in: is it one of
danger and dearth or one of
safety and sufficiency?
Despite the riches we have
created we seem to be living in a
culture of negativity.
We identified at least three
underlying “stories” that fuel this
culture.
Can local economy underpin a new culture?

5. PEOPLE
PLACE
PAYMENT
SYSTEM
(Market)
PRODUCTS
(and
services)
PROJECTS
(Production)
The essence of a functioning
local economy is one which
provides the basics in a way that
gives local people the confidence
of safety and sufficiency.
Experience shows that to re-align
the local economy in this way
you need to focus on five main
areas. (The Five P’s.)
The Five P’s explained

6. PLACE The geographic area your initiative will cover.
Features of the place that characterise its identity
PEOPLE A start-up group of about five is good
Work on your shared vision
Identify your strengths and skills
PROJECTS What stuff can you start to do?
Can you start to produce stuff?
PRODUCTS What can you produce that will benefit people and local eco-
systems?
PAYMENT
(Market)
Set up a place and a system for swapping goods and services
and taking care of the money
How can these elements change culture?

7. OLD NEW
PROJECTS We must compete
We are powerless
We can cooperate
We can do stuff
PLACE We are separate from nature
The world is unsafe
We are part of nature
We can make this world safe
PEOPLE We are separate from each other
There is not enough to go round
We are in this together
There is plenty
A new story emerges

8. PROJECTS Vision meetings, networking (around care,
entrepreurship etc). CSA, Food Study Circles
PLACE Wild food, walking routes, the history of the place,
old tool days, cycling together, City of Peace, Peace
days
PEOPLE Pot-luck parties, Bring and swap, Show films with
meaning, Music and entertainment, Open stage,
celebrate successes. Circle meetings,
A few examples

9. Logic
Take leadership
Goals
Narrow focus
Closest family
Short term
Hierarchy
Clear Roles
Organisation
Danger focus
Quick decisions
Prepared for violence
Emergency medicine
Short term gains
Cannot prioritize
everyone
Holistic
Process not goal
Love
Deep healing
Forgiveness
Circles not hierarchy
Community
Humanity
Diversity
Long term
Everyone contributes
Children's best
Build infrastructure
Build preparedness
DANGER CULTURE PEACE CULTURE
Can we combine these two cultures to one?

10. LOCALISM:
• Come together where you
live
• Ensure the basics: food,
water, accommodation,
inclusion using the five P
approach
• Celebrate life together
• Deal with risks and danger
Deal with risk
Celebrate
peace

11. THANKS!
FIND OUT MORE HERE
Invest in peace investinpeace.tssef.se
Stephen Hinton StephenHinton.org