Frank Bell's response was on target. It is my personal analysis based on
limited personal observation that self-sufficiency (individual and community)
is a major underlying Amish theme. The Amish seem to avoid technology that
takes control away from them/the community (e.g., light co. electricity or
complex machinery) and gravitate toward technology that gives them
self-sufficiency, or that they can keep in repair themselves. It helps
explains to me why certain electrical equipment is used and the wind-driven
generators that I have seen. When dependence is made on outside services, such
as the mail, there is also a parallel capability to maintain service (in this
case by hand-delivery). My brief observations of the Amish have allowed me to
understand better some corporate and non-profit policies.
--
Prof. John Naman Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh