IAED: Toward a Reformation in the Economic Sphere
Updated: 15 hours ago
IAED, United States – An integral society of the future – i.e. a sustainable, peaceful world – will be realized when the cultural, political and economic spheres are harmonized to enable individuals to attain personal autonomy and freedom. Since the Renaissance and Reformation, the political sphere has shifted from top-down rule by kings to political democracy, and the cultural sphere, previously ruled by popes and bishops, to personal accountability in religion.
The economic sphere has lagged behind and has not yet experienced a similar reformation. Today centralized economic control by banks, governments and wealthy elites has limited the full participation in the economy by the laboring masses. The economy is the last social sphere that needs reform for individuals to attain economic and personal autonomy, preserving social cohesion.
The International Association for Peace and Economic Development (IAED) held a global webinar targeting people in the Asia Pacific time zone on September 26, 2026 (September 25 New York time) on the theme “Building an Integral Economy: Toward a Reformation in the Sphere of Economics.” The program was moderated by Dr. John Bellavance, Asia-Pacific coordinator for IAED. Registered participants joined a live Zoom call; several hundred have since watched on social media channels. The webinar is part of an ongoing series on “Building an Integral Economy,” expanding on the organization’s “Headwing Economic Framework.”
Dr. Gordon Anderson, president of Paragon House Publishers and author of “Integral Economy,” spoke first on the historical foundations of current economic systems. He argued that a “Protestant Reformation” is needed to form a new monetary system owned by people rather than by governments and central banks. He traced economic history from feudalism and mercantilism to today's capitalist system, contrasting it with democratic systems that have decentralized power. “Ownership” is a core principle, he said, in a democratic economic system that would balance the current reliance on paid labor. He proposed five reforms to the current U.S. economy that could help to move the world in this direction.
Mr. Victor Perton, a former Australian (Victoria) politician and barrister, spoke on the importance of optimism and belief in the future in building a successful economy. If people lack hope for a better world, facing social constructs characterized by corruption, abuse and legal obstacles, they will not have the courage or entrepreneurial enthusiasm to start new businesses or expand existing ones.
Optimism is itself an economic resource, he said, and is the key to personal and national progress. It is central to good strategy, the basic sauce of innovation, a foundation for perseverance and resilience, and a powerful ingredient in successful change and transformation. Mr. Perton pointed out that optimistic people are more likely to see opportunity, invest, innovate, learn, take reasonable risks, start enterprises and persist when circumstances become difficult. Optimism does not deny reality; it enables one to face reality while believing that better outcomes are possible and acting to create them. This matters since, across much of the developed world, surveys regularly find people pessimistic about the direction of their countries and concerned about the future of the world.
Mr. Perton explored intersections of modern belief systems, such as human dignity, individual agency, economic autonomy, wider participation, and institutions that serve people rather than diminish them. Economic freedom, he said, gives people room to act; optimism gives them reason to act.
The respondent, Mr. Jim Edgerly, founder and director of the Higher Purpose Forum, was unfortunately unable to join the call but had sent in a number of questions that led to a stimulating discussion between the two presenters, moderated by Dr. Bellavance and Mr. Alan Jessen, North American coordinator for IAED.
A recording of the webinar is available here.
The November webinar will consider money and banking reforms. Please click here to join IAED’s email list.
By Roger Wetherall, Global Coordinator, IAED September 26, 2026
