Distribution - Economics and Ecology: United for a Sustainable World - page 101

inadequate to meet human necessities by those in control who coincidentally
have all they want. On the other hand, that same resource base is more likely
to approach adequacy if given a better distribution of resources (monetary
and otherwise), because equity breeds adequacy.
From the viewpoint of macroeconomic policy, poor distribution makes all
economic problems harder to resolve, and better distribution makes them
easier. Distribution is at the core of the most pressing social, economic, and
ecological challenges of our day.
Once again, we are compelled to return to central tenets directing this
work. The overriding conclusion is one based on interdependency: A fair, just,
and equitable distributional system promotes an economy that approaches a condi-
tion of social-environmental sustainability; conversely, an economy that approaches
a condition of social-environmental sustainability leads to a fair, just, and equitable
system of distribution. It is a self-reinforcing feedback loop. Therefore, we can-
not just solve pieces of the puzzle in a symptomatic sense; we must address
the whole picture in a systemic sense. As a final note of optimism, evolving
to a systemic mindset might allow all the pieces to fall into place and may
actually be an easier task to accomplish than the alternative, which is the
symptomatic, piecemeal reformation of a currently pathological economic
system. Next, we conclude Section II by looking more closely at the macro-
economic system.
Endnotes
1. The following discussion of attacks on white farmers in Zimbabwe is based
on Zimbabwe Enacts New Law To Seize White Farmers' Land. 2000. National
Post , Toronto, Canada. May 25; Paul Salopex. 2000. Attacks on Farms Continue
in Zimbabwe. Chicago Tribune . In: Corvallis Gazette-Times , Corvallis, OR. April
19; Angus Shaw. 2000. Another White-Owned Farm Attacked in Zimbabwe.
The Associated Press. In: Corvallis Gazette-Times , Corvallis, OR. April 21;
Susanna Loof. 2000. Attack on White Farmer Adds to Toll in Zimbabwe
Uprising. The Associated Press. In: The Sacramento Bee , Sacramento, CA.
May 8; Anonymous. 2000. Call to Round Up, Expel Whites in Zimbabwe.
San Francisco Chronicle , San Francisco, CA. May 8; Anonymous. 2000. Mobs
Rampage through Zimbabwe. 2000. USA Today . May 9; Anonymous. 2000.
Mugabe: Whites Must Realize That Zimbabwe Is for Blacks. The Associated
Press. In: Albany (OR) Democrat-Herald , Corvallis (OR) Gazette-Times . June 18;
Laurie Goering. 2002. White Farmers Forced from Land. Chicago Tribune . In:
Corvallis Gazette-Times , Corvallis, OR. August 15.
2. Jon Jeter. 2000. South African Troops Emerge as Unlikely Heroes in Flood. The
Washington Post . In: Albany (OR) Democrat-Herald , Corvallis (OR) Gazette-Times .
March 12.