The Paradigm Institute was created as a result of dissatisfaction with the focus of government and society on GNP, budget deficits and market economy.  Capitalism, Communism and ideologies in between are based on the understanding that economics is the guiding force, the foundation, the framework for society. However, as many have pointed out, the focus on economy and growth does not necessarily make our lives feel worthwhile - it would be downright depressing if our sole role on this planet was to increase the GNP of the country we live in.

The idea behind the Paradigm Institute is to create a body politic based on the basic principles put forth in the Articles of Confederation:

All people are created equal, with the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

We don’t want to go back in time, we want to take these core principles which have near universal approval and try to apply them again to our time.

What would government policy look like if the role of government is to ensure these principles are upheld? What could a framework which allows all individuals to pursue happiness as each individual defines it imply?  Does government /society have a role to play in achieving happiness or is it a soley an individual responsibility? What role would economics play in this paradigm?

And what is happiness, not to mention life, liberty and equality?

Of course, any one person’s right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness should not infringe on another’s right to the same.  The golden rule is universal. After that it gets complicated.

We have therefore decided to sit down and think it through. This page has just been developed, so there is still a way to go.