Capitalism has steered the world economy to remarkable prosperity in the past two hundred years. It has lifted millions out of poverty and created innovations that have made western society what it is.

Yet it has also proved dysfunctional in significant ways since too many capitalists have chosen to operate with a high level of anti-consciousness and a lack of benevolence that has led to many unintentional destructive and damaging consequences for our planet and society.

“When businesses are operating consciously, they can be an architect or a catalyst for making the world a better place”

When businesses are operating consciously, they can be an architect or a catalyst for making the world a better place as well as contribute to the greater good. On the other hand, when businesses are operating anti-consciously, they tend to be motivated by selfishness and greed; which leads to exploitation, mishandling, abuse, and even fraud or deception. Similarly, when businesses are operating unconsciously, they tend to demonstrate a precarious lack of awareness, short-sightedness of vision, and superficiality of priority.

“Business and capitalism are the greatest creators of value in the world. But they need to focus on sustainability instead of just thinking about short-term financial benefits.”

The thing is, there is nothing wrong with capitalism and the willingness to make money. Business and capitalism are the greatest creators of value in the world. But they need to focus on sustainability instead of just thinking about short-term financial benefits. At the moment, too much capitalism tends to be about enriching the few at the expense of the many. Enriching the few is not so much the problem, it is more the “at the expense of the many”. Conventional capitalism is not working anymore.

Businesses can’t do capitalism from just what they can get out of it. Businesses have to do it from how it contributes to their organizations and everybody else. Business today needs a new paradigm along the lines of benevolent capitalism, because it is apparent that conventional business practices are out of balance—and we need to address this imbalance now. Benevolent capitalism will distinguish the vanguard from the old guard. Capitalism must morph into being more responsible, transparent, and benevolent. It must embody greater generosity of spirit. Organizations must be governed more strategically with a conscious benevolent approach and with a greater social and environmental accountability as they attempt to secure financial prosperity.

“Benevolent Capitalism is meant to create an entirely new system for businesses”

Benevolent Capitalism is meant to create an entirely new system for businesses whose approach and strategy rests upon the following: functioning from generating a sustainable future, doing NO damage, maximizing the possibilities instead of just maximizing revenue, empowerment and conscious benevolent leadership. The target of Benevolent Capitalism is: Changing the conversation globally about what business can be.

A way of creating business that doesn’t harm the world – businesses have to do it from how it contributes to them, the planet and everybody else. · Inspiring the regeneration of business and industries that are currently stuck – to look at the different futures that can be created. · Getting corporate leaders and their investors on board with more sustainable and benevolent ways to view business.

by Steve & Chutisa Bowman

Would you like to learn more about Benevolent Capitalism and how to apply it to your own life? Gary Douglas and the Bowmans will be facilitating a class called Benevolent Capitalism – An Entirely New System for Business find out more about benevolent capitalism here.