SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt

170
The Meaning of Sufficiency Economy
International Conference
Conclusions
The elegance of the King’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy is in its clear,
clean, concise distillation and statement of the components and conditions required
for an economy that is balanced and inclusive. It raises the value of living systems –
people and the ecosystem (environment) – to be in balance with profits. The
businesses following these practices are healthy, vibrant, exciting places for the
entrepreneurs, their associates, and the communities they are in. By recognizing the
value of the living systems, both people and the environment, and providing
organization that enables people to be creative and valued, more balanced and
innovative solutions can be discovered. Just as the saying “Many hands make light
work” is true, I think we can add “More ideas makes for creative development.”
My biggest concern is that the key to all of this is the second underlying
condition in the King’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: “Morality: people need to
have honesty and integrity while conducting their lives with perseverance,
harmlessness and generosity.” This is a change that cannot be legislated. It is a
change that must be inspired. It requires personal contact and sharing. It absolutely
requires education in families, schools, and communities. This necessitates the
rebuilding of close, supportive, grassroots communities where people are again
accountable for their actions. In these close communities, that accountability is more
natural as you are dealing with people that you care about.
The kind of networks demonstrated by BALLE are enabling that kind of oneto-one
grassroots development to happen in a nurturing environment that seems to
be spreading the change.