Rudolf Steiner and Social Reform: Threefolding and Other Proposals

by Richard Masters

Overview

How might we improve the way we organize society, so that human beings can live in greater peace, dignity and justice? Against a background of chronic discontent and social conflict around the globe, Richard Masters presents a comprehensive survey of Rudolf Steiner's work on societal reform, sifting through and summarizing the content of dozens of books, lectures and discussions. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) is not known today for his social thinking, but he wrote and spoke at length on such issues during and after WWI, engaging with audiences ranging from royalty, politicians and business owners to illiterate, dispossessed factory workers. Central to his ideas was his 'threefold' approach to politics, economics and culture, arguing that their roles should be clarified and the three spheres allowed to thrive independently. Drawing on the full range of source material - including much not yet available in English - the author reveals the continuing relevance of Steiner's work to our contemporary situation. With an emphasis on accessibility, he builds up the subject methodically, studying the main ideas from differing perspectives. He also provides candid reflections on the degree to which Steiner's proposals are still applicable to current policy and practice. Authoritative and yet jargon-free, Rudolf Steiner and Social Reform offers innovative and stimulating ideas for anyone concerned with the state of our world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781855845985
Publisher:	Rudolf Steiner Press
Publication date:	09/13/2022
Pages:	676
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.50(d)

Table of Contents

1 Preliminary Remarks 1

1.1 Aim of the book 1

1.2 Format 1

1.3 Why Steiner? 2

1.4 Limitations of a book on a limitless subject 6

2 What's the Problem? 9

2.1 Today 9

2.2 In Steiner's day 10

3 Pre-threefold Comments 14

3.1 1898 15

3.2 1905-1908 19

3.2.1 Brotherhood 20

3.2.2 Root causes of societal ills 22

3.2.3 Exploitation 24

3.2.4 Self-interest 26

3.2.5 A fundamental social law 29

3.2.6 Separation of work and income 32

3.2.7 Shared ideals 37

4 The Threefold Social Organism 42

4.1 Public exposure 42

4.2 Shortcomings of other societal constructs, as observed by Steiner 49

4.2.1 Capitalism 49

4.2.2 Socialism 57

4.2.3 The unitary state 60

4.3 Introduction to the threefold approach 63

4.4 Not a fixed programme 68

4.5 Not forever 72

5 The Three Realms-Defined 74

5.1 Not classes or sectors 74

5.2 Definition of Rights Aspect 76

5.3 Definition of Economic Aspect 84

5.3.1 Not Labour 88

5.3.2 Not land or the means of production 93

5.4 Definition of Cultural Aspect 101

6 The Three Realms-Guiding Principles 113

6.1 Relative independence and autonomy 113

6.2 Rights-Égalité-Democracy 117

6.3 Economics-Fraternité-Association 122

6.4 Culture-Liberié-Competition 129

6.5 Guiding principles-a summary 137

7 The Three Realms-Operational Remarks 141

7.1 Three central administrations 143

7.2 An upper senate 148

7.3 Operational Remarks-Rights Realm 150

7.3.1 Funding 150

7.3.2 Democratic process 150

7.3.3 Labour 152

7.3.4 Remuneration-Part 1 160

7.3.5 Social security 171

7.3.6 Taxation 173

7.3.7 Land and the means of production 189

7.3.8 The police and the armed forces 222

7.4 Operational Remarks-Economic Realm 223

7.4.1 Competition or co-operation? 224

7.4.2 Associations 236

7.4.3 Production according to need 270

7.4.4 Contracts as basis of trading relationships 288

7.4.5 Entrepreneurial abilities 299

7.4.6 Management / workforce relationship 301

7.4.7 Division of labour / specialisation 307

7.4.8 Motivation for work 312

7.4.9 Value 326

7.4.10 Price 333

7.4.11 Fair price 339

7.4.12 Price adjustment by output adjustment 351

7.4.13 Profit / profit maximisation 358

7.4.14 Remuneration-Part 2 363

7.4.15 Savings and loans 383

7.4.16 Cross-subsidy 395

7.4.17 Gift to education 398

7.4.18 Validity of money 409

7.4.19 Three types of money 410

7.4.20 Dying money 418

7.4.21 Nature-based currency 428

7.4.22 Bookkeeping as money 430

7.5 Operational Remarks-Cultural Realm 437

7.5.1 Funding 439

7.5.2 Education 448

7.5.3 The Arts 466

7.5.4 Religion and spiritual teaching 467

7.5.5 The judiciary 470

7.5.6 Stewardship of land and the means of production 472

8 Overlap 479

8.1 How one realm affects another 484

8.1.1 Rights aspect appropriately serving cultural aspect 485

8.1.2 Rights aspect inappropriately influencing cultural aspect 487

8.1.3 Rights aspect appropriately serving economic aspect 493

8.1.4 Rights aspect inappropriately influencing economic aspect 496

8.1.5 Economic aspect appropriately serving rights aspect 499

8.1.6 Economic aspect inappropriately influencing rights aspect 500

8.1.7 Economic aspect appropriately serving cultural aspect 515

8.1.8 Economic aspect inappropriately influencing cultural aspect 516

8.1.9 Cultural aspect appropriately serving rights aspect 527

8.1.10 Cultural aspect inappropriately influencing rights aspect 528

8.1.11 Cultural aspect appropriately serving economic aspect 530

8.1.12 Cultural aspect inappropriately influencing economic aspect 536

8.2 Some obvious institutional examples 538

8.2.1 Example 1-a factory manufacturing roof tiles 539

8.2.2 Example 2-a university 540

8.2.3 Example 3-a police force 542

8.3 Some less obvious institutional examples 543

8.3.1 Example 4-a hospital 544

8.3.2 Example 5-a golf club 546

8.3.3 Example 6-a hunger relief charity 547

8.3.4 Example 7-a bank 548

8.3.5 Example 8-a dinner party at someone's house 551

8.3.6 Example 9-a Local Authority / County Council 552

8.3.7 Example 10-a newspaper 553

8.3.8 Example 11-a home for adults with learning disabilities 555

9 Related Considerations 557

9.1 More on egoism and altruism 557

9.2 Can an organisation be threefold on its own? 560

9.3 Economic policy 563

9.4 International dimension 570

9.4.1 Similarities and differences between peoples 570

9.4.2 International conflict 574

9.4.3 The special role of economic activity in international relations 577

9.4.4 A threefold state in isolation 579

9.4.5 The European Union 584

9.4.6 International dimension summarised 589

9.5 Universal Basic Income / Citizen's Income 589

10 The Threefold Approach Summarised 601

11 Post-threefold Comments 610

12 Relevant to Now? 615

12.1 Environmental destruction 622

12.2 Housing shortages 623

12.3 Poverty / wealth disparity 625

12.4 Health issues 629

12.5 Selfish foreign policy 630

12.6 Crimes against the person 634

13 Further implementation 644

14 Concluding Remarks 650

Acknowledgements 656

Bibliography 657