Knowledge, Research and the People-Centred Economy IAN MACPHERSON PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF HISTORY CO-DIRECTOR, THE NATIONAL HUB THE CANADIAN SOCIAL ECONOMY RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA CLUNY1@UVIC.CA

The Knowledge-based Economy New innovation Free gift Forward planning Going forward 2

Knowledge and economies Roles in Canadian economic activities An even longer view Knowledge and the rise of capital and labour The emergence of knowledge as a driver of economic development The Social Economy and the uneven development of knowledge

The “New” Perspective The OECD economies are increasingly based on knowledge and information. Knowledge is now recognised as the driver of productivity and economic growth, leading to a new focus on the role of information, technology and learning in economic performance. OECD, The Knowledge-based Economy (Paris, 1996)

More…. For countries in the vanguard of the world economy, the balance between knowledge and resources has shifted so far towards the former that knowledge has become perhaps the most important factor determining the standard of living - more than land, than tools, than labour. Today's most technologically advanced economies are truly knowledge-based. World Bank, World Development Report, 1999

Instrumentalist Uses of Research Creator of jobs Facilitator of trade Roles in “Easy Globalisation” Funds and positions for research

The larger knowledge possibilities Roles of (mostly) conservative think tanks and research centres Research and “movers and shakers” (Janine Wedel, Shadow Elite: How the World’s New Power Brokers Undermine Democracy (New York: Basic Books, 2009) Research, knowledge and flexibility

Ten top Distinguishing Features of Research into the People-centred Economy Concerned with communities Different views and understandings Matters of culture (European Cultural Parliament, Culture, the heart of a knowledge-based economy. Tuscany, 2006.

Ten Top Reasons…. Matters of values Social Economy Europe, 2009 the primacy of individual and social objective over capital; voluntary and open membership; democratic control by the members; combination of the members' interests, of the users' interest and/or the general interest; Application of solidarity and responsibility principles;  self powered management independent of public authorities use of essential surplus for sustainable development objectives, member services or services of general  interest. Social Economy Europe, 2009

Top Ten…. Importance for specific groups Need to treasure institutional varieties Need to honour different modes, objectives and styles of research and knowledge creation Need to embrace international perspectives Moving beyond instrumentalism Engaging with others

Thank you!!!! cluny1@uvic.ca Conclusions Thank you!!!! cluny1@uvic.ca