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There's pretty clear research to indicate that the old saying is true - once our basic needs are met, having more money doesn't tend to equate to more happiness. And books like The Spirit Level have shown that the greater the wealth gap between rich and poor, the less happy people tend to be at both ends of the scale.

None the less, accepting an imperfect world and all our human frailties, does the current capitalist system work pretty well, all things considered? Was the recent economic meltdown the sign of a system that's fundamentally had it's day, or was it just a temporary blip and we can now get back to business as usual? Or could we create a new social order that's more responsible, just and humane and that better supports human flourishing?

"If you think money can't buy happiness, you don't know where to shop."

Anon

On The Panel We Had

Mark Boyle, the founder of Freeconomy. Mark has been living completely without money for two years and is the author of The Moneyless Man. Mark writes for the Guardian and whilst his background is in economics, he now campaigns for a truly ecological way of life and is in the process of creating a moneyless village in the UK.

Richard Turner, who is the founding director of Catalyst Venture Partners, an organisation that develops and funds fast growth technology companies. Prior to creating CVP Richard was a strategic consultant with KPMG and London Economics and a private investor. He is a specialist in the communications and media sectors. He has helped create a number of businesses including CHBi (a new media agency later acquired by Razorfish), Final Touch Productions, and 3BM Television.

Sanni Kruger of Holistic Money Manager, who is a money coach supporting people to live within their means without stressful money concerns. She does this by helping them to clarify their desired long term vision and learn how to expand their resources to reach it. This includes determining what they really want from their lives and focusing on the kind of lifestyle they're looking for.

Ciaran Mundy, who trained as an ecologist, originally publishing work on soil ecology, but few were interested in living soil back then because the answers were sought in ever more chemical fertilisers. So, strangely in 1999 he started a mobile phone company and at the same time the campaign and conservation charity One World Wildlife. In 2007 Ciaran was asked to be a volunteer director of Transition Bristol. He is also an active member of the community group Transition Montpelier. In 2009 Ciaran organised a Bristol Economics Forum out of which emerged the Bristol and Bath local currency project.

"Experience in business, ecology and community brought me to a realisation that the 'rules' around relationships between individuals in any system largely determine the end result. In modern society that means how and who creates and controls money."

The Entertainment Was

 Trio Bastoune, a gypsy jazz band from Bath ( UK )  who played the traditional manouche repertoire with a preference for musicality and entertainment over cold technical abilities. They share their love for swinging rhythm and beautiful melodies by playing with great feel and generosity. The Trio Bastoune members are well acquainted with local and international stages after years of performing with the legendary Zen Hussies, Bartoune and The Mighty Peas.