Towards 2023

All approaches to economic life, all schools of thought, are backgrounded by a world conception of some sort, often however not made explicit. In the case of associative economics, the background conception is the anthroposophical worldview. Anthroposophy – awareness of one's true humanity, wisdom of man – is not an abstract philosophical affair, but is matched by the way Rudolf Steiner at Christmas 1923 embedded the School of Spiritual Science with its 'structure' of three classes and sections in the Anthroposophical Society. Understanding the intention and significance of this is, therefore, a key aspect of the work of the Economics Conference, as part of one of the sections. This page references study material to that end.

The Christmas Conference 1923
The eye of the needle for associative economics is to apply it to the Anthroposophical Movement itself, and to the Anthroposophical Society in particular. Towards 2023 has a simple aim in this regard: to heed the three ‘calls’ by Rudolf Steiner concerning the way in which the Society is financed, so that by Christmas 2023, the Society’s centenary, the work of the Goetheanum, especially that of the Sections of the School of Spiritual Science, is adequately and buoyantly financed. The three calls point to members’ contributions, research funds and worldwide regular financial support from people generally (much in the manner of organisations like today’s Greenpeace and World Wildlife Fund). This page is devoted to highlighting the nature and effect of these three calls.

Revisiting the Christmas Conference
A Retreat Template
A five-day intensive retreat to commemorate the Refounding of the Anthroposophical Society. (Available as free pdf in English.)

Truthening our Finances
Meg Freeling December 2021
A detailed consideration of the need to 'truthen' the finances of the Anthroposophical Society if it is to fulfill its destiny. (Available as free pdf in English.)

The Challenges of Christmas 1923
Marc Desaules May 2014
A discussion of the inner and outer responsibilities of working with Rudolf Steiner's legacy, especially as regards the challenges of modern economic life. (Available as free pdf in English.  Spanish.)

Towards Christmas 2023 – Renewing our Covenant with Rudolf Steiner  
Christopher Houghton Budd 2011
Transcripts of lectures given in South America and Spain in 2011, this book makes the inner and outer case for supporting the Anthroposophical Society through deliberate financial support of its work. (Available in English.)

The Deed of Rudolf Steiner – Sociological Masterpiece, Economic Testament  
Christopher Houghton Budd 1979
Originally written in 1979 and revised since, this is a study of the way Rudolf Steiner refounded the Anthroposophical Society with particular regard to its economic dimensions, both as regards its own organisation and the world in general. It includes an annex, 'Tasks, Seeds, Qualities' based on notes taken at the time of Jorgen Smit's an intensive account of the origin, background and purpose of the three classes of the School of Spiritual Science. (Available in English.)