Shaping a More Meaningful Economy — Part 2
Voluntary Engagement
For Pioneers
Do you also believe that the current economic system is unlikely to solve the problems it causes? Are you ready to overcome old thought patterns and break new ground?
At One-X, we have spent the last few years working to develop a new, workable economic system. In our first article we have described the vision of this new paradigm, and we would like here to further introduce you to the concept and invite you to participate in this work.
We are seeking co-creators to bring this next economic system to life in larger contexts, where it can be further tested and create real impact. After two years of proof-of-concept, we believe that One-X is now mature enough to bring value to others.
Five Qualities to Overcome Our Challenges
The existing global economic system is plagued by pressing issues: growing social inequality and excessive exploitation of natural resources. One-X offers an open network where people and projects can come together to solve these challenges.
One-X’s long-term goal is to meet the needs of everyone in the world. While this may seem utopian at first, One-X provides the ideal experimental space to move closer to this goal through five key qualities:
- Voluntary Engagement
- Peer Empowerment
- Environmental Respect
- Purposeful Investment
- Fair Participation
qualities are achieved through the consistent implementation of ten principles, two for each quality. Let’s now delve into the quality of Voluntary Engagement in initiatives.
Choosing Where to Contribute
In One-X, individuals who work within organizations do so by their own choice, driven by intrinsic motivation and empowered with the freedom to adapt their contributions as their capabilities and motivations evolve. They are not coerced by superiors or external circumstances, and there are no rewards and punishments used as incentives. In One-X, work is seen as an integral and fulfilling part of life, with no strict separation between work and personal life.
In contrast, the current economic system often forces individuals to have more than one job out of necessity rather than choice, resulting in a burdensome perception of work. External factors like pay raises and job security predominantly motivate them. Legal complexities and contractual obligations further restrict their freedom to transition between jobs or change positions.
By embracing One-X’s approach, which empowers individuals to work based on intrinsic motivation and diverse interests, we unlock their true potential and facilitate their meaningful contributions. This promotes personal growth while driving societal development. Simplifying the relationship between individuals and organizations conserves valuable energy, empowering us to tackle our most significant challenges.
To enable individuals to exercise their freedom in choosing where to contribute, it is crucial that they can easily form teams with trusted individuals and equally easily disengage when they deem it appropriate. Additionally, to maximize the collective potential, an efficient integration of diverse perspectives is needed. The following two principles address these specific aspects.
1st Principle: Team-up with people you choose
In our initiatives, we prioritize relaxed cooperation, where we feel safe even during our weak moments and our interests are respected. In the current system, we often bind ourselves to rigid, strictly regulated business relationships to ensure this. While detailed contracts and laws may help, they also make it arduous and time-consuming to adapt to ever-changing realities.
At One-X, we recognize that within a circle of trusted colleagues, it’s easier and more flexible to shape our business relationships, considering all interests involved. Each member can determine, without obstacles, the level of commitment to others in initiatives, based on mutual trust. With trustworthy partners, we can find the right type of collaboration and approach it without unnecessary formalities. And if a satisfactory solution cannot be reached for all parties, we can exit business relationships without risk.
How have we implemented this principle?
In One-X, new members can join an initiative or existing members can leave an initiative at any time. There are clear conditions that apply to all, with no barriers. Admission is based on trust and the assumption that the agreed conditions within the initiative will be respected and adhered to.
If trust declines due to non-compliance with the conditions, a separation can be initiated by a third body, the “Identity” institutional entity and the interests of the participants are still adequately taken into account. This allows members to focus on collective impact rather than on their safety.
Critics argue:
- “You can’t really trust anyone.” We say: It’s true that some prioritize their own interests at the expense of others. However, the transparent conditions of One-X motivate individuals to change this behavior.
- “People who aren’t trustworthy all the time will be excluded.” We say: Trustworthiness, in this context, means being benevolent to fellow human beings, and everyone can learn that. It’s not about perfection or performance.
Now, envision being partnered exclusively with trustworthy individuals who genuinely consider our needs and interests:
- We would feel more relaxed. In cases of differing interests, we would find swift solutions without constant fights for a perfectly fair division.
- We would be more authentic, openly sharing our needs and feelings, learning from one another, and growing as a group and as individuals.
- We would invest our energy in achieving our goals instead of protecting ourselves against others.
2nd principle: Integrate diverse perspectives
When decisions impact many, it is crucial to consider the interests and point of views of all parties involved. However, often such decisions are made by individuals empowered through democratic election or power hierarchies, but who have unilateral views or have conflicts of interest. In this system, not all interests are transparently taken into account, and lobbyists often sway decisions in favor of minorities. Innovative, non-conformist perspectives are often disregarded.
At One-X, we understand that conflicts of interest, whether evident or hidden, can hinder effective solutions and compromise the quality of decisions. Thus, we minimize conflicts of interest and transparently integrate the point of views and interests of all members involved. This approach leads to more meaningful decisions and builds trust between people.
How have we implemented this principle?
The transparent compensation at One-X, visible to all members, minimizes the chances of personal advantage. A member’s power depends directly on the trust of others, reducing opportunities for abusing one’s position. However, when different interests compete, four institutional entities (Identity, Market, Balance, and Good Life), whose representatives are independently elected by the members, ensure a fair and comprehensible integration of these interests while at the same time allowing co-creative solutions. An integrative decision-making process is employed to achieve this.
Critics argue:
- “No one likes to accept solutions against their own interests, regardless of the method.” We say: If the decision-making process allows us to find solutions acceptable to all parties, they will be implemented.
- “Power claims lead to conflicts that cannot be resolved in terms of content.” We say: Trust and relationship work are crucial to resolving power conflicts. In One-X, they are explicitly addressed outside the decision-making process.
Now, imagine if our interests were always suitably taken into account, with no fear of disadvantages from conflicts of interest:
- When interests differ, we could focus on our perspective and ensure that the solutions found genuinely fit everyone.
- We wouldn’t have to choose between our own interests and the common good or give up our claims altogether.
- Together, we would find creative, sensible solutions, avoiding winners and losers or settling for compromised outcomes.
Shaping the New System Together
In recent years, the value of the five qualities has become increasingly apparent, yet there is still so much more to explore. Can you envision this potential too?
If these topics resonate with you, we invite you to read the other articles in this series (linked below). If you’re uncertain about their relevance, take a moment for personal reflection. Also, feel free to contact us at info@one-x.org and we will respond promptly.
We welcome pioneers who are eager to share their principles, practices, and experiences with us, and work together to develop a new economic system for broader application.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Andrea Demaria & Tobias Bantzhaff
Articles of the series Shaping a more meaningful economy:
- Part 1: Toward a New Vision
- Part 2: Voluntary Engagement (this article)
- Part 3: Peer Empowerment
- Part 4: Environmental Respect
- Part 5: Purposeful Investment
- Part 6: Fair Participation
- Part 7: A Path to the New Economy
- Part 8: Fundamentals of One-X (to be published)