Presentin a vision for a "helpful economy" that prioritizes human well-being and social cohesion over pure efficiency or growth. It begins by diagnosing what makes an economy unhelpful: abandoning national self-reliance in basic necessities for international specialization; suppressing domestic human and social capital development while relying on mass immigration; fostering class warfare instead of reciprocity between the upper, middle, and lower classes; and forcing people into "pulling themselves up by their bootstraps" for mere survival rather than ambition.
It argues that such an economy breeds fear across all classes, which can only be countered by institutionalizing "cyclical support"—a system where the state, community, and citizens mutually support each other, grounded in a widespread understanding of the common good. The concept of "supportive commodity" is introduced, where goods (like bread) alleviate suffering, contrasted with "suppressive commodity" (like money used for control). The transformation from suppressive to supportive use requires government incentives, such as a minimum wage tied to social metrics.
A key proposal is the "zonage ouvert d'esprit" (open-minded zoning) model, where the government sets building safety and design standards, but communities decide property use, fostering local social and human capital. Industrial zones are separated by public green spaces to protect health and the environment, while utilities remain under national control for efficiency.
The essay then addresses the "economic authority question," rejecting both pure command and free-market economies as forms of "economic violence." It dismisses the mixed economy as a cultural myth and proposes the "Règlement model," where economic authority resides in *cooperation* itself. This model features a strong, legislature-filled government that protects the right to cooperate, engages in conscious (not free) trade with necessary, empirically justified protectionism, and is culturally neutral because cooperation is universal.
It deconstructs the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" myth, arguing that individual success depends on pre-existing social, technological, and institutional conditions. True effort can only flourish when society guarantees basic stability and opportunity.
Finally, it asserts that class divisions based on affinity are natural and necessary, but class trauma—the cycle of abuse when power shifts—is a primary social violence. The solution is "class healing" through solidarity and cooperation across classes, which builds bridges for societal progress. Historical examples like Singapore show the potential of class harmony. The conclusion is optimistic: a helpful economy is plausible if we pursue the long-term goal of class healing and cooperation, laying the groundwork for a future economy that serves the human soul.
