From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth. He is also a creator—practically engaged in demonstrating democratic economic solutions that work. Thank you, Gar Alperovitz, for condensing so much into this provocative gem. Absolutely essential reading for anyone concerned with building the next Progressive Era. Gar Alperovitz knows that we must look for new ways to create and sustain good jobs.
As the USW has shown in its innovative partnership with Mondragon, combining employee equity with a progressive collective bargaining process results in higher accountability, productivity and efficiency because all workers have an equal stake in the company. Instead of measuring the value of a corporation only in profits, losses and shareholder dividends, we must take into account how the enterprise serves its community.
After examining new patterns of positive change emerging in America today—including many undernoticed changes that involve democratizing the ownership of wealth—he develops a brilliant strategy for the type of transformative change that can lead America from decline to rebirth. In giving a sense of strategic direction and honest possibility to the call for a new economy, Alperovitz has made an enormous contribution exactly where it is most needed.
Manifesto for a New Economy. Gar Alperovitz brings some of the most lucid insight, deepest practical experience and most compelling vision to the convergent transformation of politics and economy. Given radical climate disruption combined with arguably the greatest wealth inequity in the history of civilization, transforming the economy away from the concentration of wealth and the distribution of poverty requires a thoughtful and highly practical system change. At the core are the democratization of wealth and the transition to a green economy. Alperovitz has produced a glimmering map guided by a compass of conscience.
A Cure for Capitalism. We live in a Gun Culture. The Supreme Court is poised to allow the rich to spend what they want in elections anywhere and everywhere. Two recent books discuss these vital problems, posing solutions designed to save democracy from its steady erosion by money, to balance and harmonize our human needs against free enterprise and its domination by corporations at all levels, and to reorganize American values, all as a way beyond constant fiscal crisis, inequality, poverty and violence.
"What Then Must We Do: Straight Talk About The Next American Revolution" - Resilience
Professor Alperovitz, a noted political economist at the University of Maryland, provides a long-term historical context for the evolution of activism and change, while proposing with illustrations solutions that can slowly alter our system in strategic increments. Alperovitz discusses a checkerboard strategy involving local mixed-solutions using municipal powers, local self-government, worker ownership of business, land-trusts, election reform beginning locally , the destruction of cable and internet monopolies and many other tactics. Beyond that, Alperovitz proposes new banking approaches to break the stranglehold of Wall Street on our communities as well as a way forward to a new environmental consciousness.
Making Capitalism Fit for Society provides a European perspective on the topic of corporate domination of human life. Professor Crouch of Warwick in England, surveys the way unrestrained markets have expanded the neo-liberal agenda, especially in light of the recent destruction of the labor movement and the collapse of any countervailing power to wealth. He suggests that a countervailing power might arise from the uniting of a green movement with re-energized third parties or altered platforms of established parties , though his suggestions are more apposite to the parliamentary forms of government that characterize Europe.
In any case, the situation is dire for democracy and for American citizens trapped in a downward spiral towards the dead-end of corporate slavery. Jan 26, Keith rated it liked it Recommended to Keith by: Even after putting this review on the back burner for a couple of months to let it simmer, I'm still not sure what to do with it. I mean, I liked it, but…. It's clear that—in the econ-political sphere—something must be done, which of course leads directly to the titular question. And the author outlines a number of things that have been, are being, and can be done to make improvements, and is generally very hopeful and encouraging in its outlook.
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And reading it five years after its release, notin Even after putting this review on the back burner for a couple of months to let it simmer, I'm still not sure what to do with it. And reading it five years after its release, noting what has improved and what has regressed further since the Obama era, and the ways it has done so and with what rhetoric, leaves me with more a feeling of despair than of hope. Quite a lot of space and words are devoted to what appears to be an intent to overcome knee-jerk objections from the political Right: At the same time, Alperovitz makes clear that the New Deal is the exception in history, resulting from the unusual confluence of strong labor movements, global war, and economic devastation.
Which leads me back to the thinking I came here to adjust: I did, however, find it interesting that so much of the array of offered improvements aligns with the concept of Work Democracy as promulgated by Wilhelm Reich without once mentioning his tainted name, let alone citing him. I imagine that alignment is adventitious, rather than deliberate, and if connected at all it is probably through a chain of other thinkers who didn't follow Reich around the bend into his more delusional theories.
But even Reich's WD proposals rely on an evolution in human thinking which is, a hundred years later, still neither in evidence nor even considered desirable among the masses precisely because they we are the masses, and because the social conditioning in favor authoritarian patriarchy begins at home from birth, as everyone who has ever heard "as long as you're living under my roof" or "wait 'til your father gets home" or "because I'm your mother and I said so" already tacitly knows.
In the end, there are numerous good ideas in here for making local or even regional improvements if one is willing to fight against the tide, and those are accompanied by useful rhetoric and explanations for overcoming reactionary objections, and yet "time and tide wait for no man" and I'm pretty sure we, as a species, are still screwed for a good long time to come. Sorry not to have a more positive report, but there it is.
Dec 12, Economics of Compassion Initiative rated it it was amazing. This book is about democratizing wealth and building a community-sustaining economy. The author is Professor of Economics at the University of Maryland and has served in multiple national and international roles — well known and qualified for his economic views. Alperovitz takes a view of US history from about the 's forward and presents a case that the current economic system of rules and regulations is fundamentally not capable of producing a more compassionate economy simply because those This book is about democratizing wealth and building a community-sustaining economy.
Alperovitz takes a view of US history from about the 's forward and presents a case that the current economic system of rules and regulations is fundamentally not capable of producing a more compassionate economy simply because those in positions of wealth control the power of change. Said differently, tweaks to the current system by regulations are not likely to produce substantial change; the problem is fundamentally a system problem. Further, the author argues that the degree the U. These two extraordinary events combined to create economic opportunities for multitudes of people, not planning or execution by those in power.
While Alperovitz touches on the possibility of radical system change, he spends his energies in searching for the emergence of economic enterprises that are already operating according to a different system. This is the real crux of the book. Importantly for our Economics of Compassion initiative, Alperovitz does a good job presenting examples of several enterprises that are more compassionate and are better at democratizing wealth by virtue of how they are designed, owned and managed. In the private sector, this includes "the development of local cooperatives, worker-owned companies, neighborhood corporations, land trusts, social enterprises, B Corps and many other community-based forms.
At the governmental level, there are also numerous examples, "including public land development and ownership, municipalization of utilities and internet services, land trusts, sustainability planning and related public energy strategies While this book is almost solely focused on the U. The many examples of existing organizations that are working toward an economics of compassion gives us hope, as well as equips us to engage others in conversation around what's possible.
The book is short pages , contemporary and written in a relaxed, conversational style.
What Then Must We Do?: Straight Talk about the Next American Revolution
For those who want details, the book has lots of technical notes and references at the end. Jan 31, Joan Lesmeister rated it really liked it Shelves: Nevertheless, it's a salutary presentation of the argument, if for no other reason than its realistic engagement with the contemporary American political and ideological climate. It also provides a valuable empirical overview of the heterogeneity of contemporary American micro-socialisms, from traditional producer and consumer co-ops through credit unions, ESOPs, nonprofit development corporations, and publicly owned municipal and state banks, utilities, hospitals, etc.
The most helpful aspect of Alperovitz' book is his reasoned assessment of the possible synergies between the public sector, and public policy as controlled by 'politics' in the traditional sense, and semi-private cooperative forms. Alperovitz imagines that, with progressives in power on the local levels, this synergy has the potential to create a self-sustaining and expanding transformative logic, allowing for the eventual displacement of corporate capitalism in the overall economic system. Personally, I am a bit more skeptical; my idea of systemic transformation has considerably more class struggle involved; but this is nevertheless the single best presentation of a competing view, with some strong arguments in its favor, currently available.
Jan 22, Sammy rated it really liked it Shelves: I listened to Gar Alperovitz speak, knowing little about his work. He makes a strong case for the problems with our deregulated market economy and its corrupt interactions with government being above politics; he calls them systemic problems. They will not likely be solved from within the system voting for certain candidates, enacting certain ballot measures, etc.
Instead, an entirely new system is needed. Alperovitz then goes on to demonstrate some examples of grassroots organizing that are laying a foundation for the next chapter in human history: The sixty-four thousand dollar question is, of course, can these projects scale up? Can an entire nation replace its corporate plutocracy with something better without becoming a totalitarian state? Cautiously, I am optimistic. But things might have to get a lot worse for the working classes in places like the United States before such radical transition takes place. And when it does happen, we will all be better off having read Alperovitz.
Jul 28, Chris rated it liked it. Alperovitz runs through the usual laundry list of complaints about economy and society in the U. He then takes the more aggressive stance that this is not a problem we can simply vote our way out of. He doesn't pull off a mathematical proof, but has enough evidence to cast serious doubt. He goes further than analyzing the problem and proposes alternative methods - and not useless snake oil that is satisfying to read but impossible to implement.
Instead he proposes a long, grassroots-style ca Alperovitz runs through the usual laundry list of complaints about economy and society in the U.
Instead he proposes a long, grassroots-style campaign that is largely about winning the small battles - one locality or company at a time. I was disappointed with the discussion of Employee-Owned Companies and other Corporate alternatives - the ability of these organizations to compete with corporations or even just succeed was glossed over in my opinion.
A few examples were given with some details, but many were just crammed in there with skeletal information. I understand that this topic could be a book of it's own, but I would expect more support for a pillar in his plan. At the end of the book I felt Alperovitz had a good handle on the issues facing the U. But he did convince me that his proposed ideas were all worth doing on their own merit, so the book was far from a waste of time.
Mar 24, Drick rated it it was amazing Shelves: Alpervotiz is an economist who exposes the lie of capitalistic democracy, neoliberalism or plutocracy or whatever you want to call our current state of government and offers an alternative vision of a society characterized by grassroots democracy, economic democracy and public ownership of vital sectors of society that addresses the huge inequities, climate change and the current imbalance of power.
He points to examples where these things are taking place and offers a cautious hope of what our Alpervotiz is an economist who exposes the lie of capitalistic democracy, neoliberalism or plutocracy or whatever you want to call our current state of government and offers an alternative vision of a society characterized by grassroots democracy, economic democracy and public ownership of vital sectors of society that addresses the huge inequities, climate change and the current imbalance of power.
He points to examples where these things are taking place and offers a cautious hope of what our nation must move to if it is to continue operate. There are many pithy quotes but here is the most compelling for me: Anyone who cares about the future of the globe, much less the nation must read this book.
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- “What Then Must We Do: Straight Talk About The Next American Revolution”;
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Aug 03, William Crosby rated it liked it. Tells the numerous problems with our current economic system primarily corporate capitalism and the socio-political problems in changing it and what the consequences have been and will be not good. Gives historic background and discusses alternative economic systems. Shows that we are already engaging in alternative activity such as coops, employee owned companies, public utilities, etc. Push Local Anchors to do Their Part!
Make nonprofit institutions like universities and hospitals use their resources to fight poverty, unemployment, and global warming. Unlike other large economic actors, they are geographically tethered to their localities. Their missions, invested capital, nonprofit status or public ownership, and other relationships contribute to their permanence. By encouraging anchors to play a responsible role in their local communities, activists often can influence and partner with them to solve social, economic, environmental and health issues. Universities, spurred by student involvement, can leverage that economic power to go far beyond narrow academic missions.
There are also opportunities to work with groups like If you are a student or a member of the surrounding community, you can help organize campaigns to deploy university assets toward local job and wealth creation, education, housing and the provision of healthy food for low-income residents in the area. Community investment of university endowments is a crucial field for activist involvement. Schools like Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, for instance, have taken important first steps.
Bon Secours Baltimore Health System is one of the largest employers in West Baltimore, in a neighborhood where life expectancy hovers in the low- to mids.
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Everything else moving forward will be done in partnership with the community. Health is connected intimately to economic conditions. Given that hospitals must now reach out to the community, especially underserved populations, residents can push for community-based economic strategies that fight unemployment, improve educational achievement, foster community safety and build stronger social service networks. The integration of hospitals, universities and other anchors into a long-term vision for a community-sustaining economy is a significant development.
None, until recently, purchased from the immediately surrounding neighborhoods facing high unemployment and exclusion. An integrated group of worker-owned companies has been developed, supported in part by that purchasing power. The Cleveland co-ops offer laundry and solar services and run the largest urban greenhouse in the United States. The aim is to create new businesses, year by year, as time goes on. The goal is not simply worker ownership but the democratization of wealth and community building in general.
Linked by a community-serving nonprofit corporation and a revolving fund, the companies cannot be sold outside the network; they also return 10 percent of profits to help develop additional worker-owned firms. If your community is suffering while big nonprofit institutions enjoy generous tax breaks or are recipients of public funding, get organized to push these institutions to use their economic power to benefit the community, following models now emerging in many parts of the country. If your university is investing in fossil fuel companies, organize to bring about a major change in investment priorities.
Build community power through economic development and community land trusts. Unlike corporate developers, a variety of nonprofit organizations manage the ownership of real estate in ways that promote inclusive and sustainable use. The structure and mission of community development corporations, community land trusts and housing co-ops allow them to democratize the stewardship of land. Most CLTs lease homes to residents.
And by retaining the majority of the home equity gained over time, the trust is able to continue to make homes available to new members at affordable, below-market prices. Like CDCs, land trust boards are typically composed of at least one-third land-trust residents. Organized communities can incorporate CLTs into their broader vision for economic justice. Residents of the predominantly black and Latino neighborhood convinced Boston city officials to grant the community the power of eminent domain over 1, parcels of abandoned land — an unprecedented step — then promptly established a land trust.
What Then Must We Do? Straight Talk About the Next American Revolution
You might also build on the some of the lessons learned from another low-income, largely minority community that formed a housing cooperative. As communities attempt to carve out holistic economic development, they are incorporating the interests of tenants, homeowners, businesses, workers and families. A world framed by our own definition of community values and shared prosperity. Get involved in your local CDC, CLT or housing co-op, and encourage them to leverage their assets to support inclusive economic development. Connect activist struggles for economic and housing justice to institution-building strategies to build up long-term power for such work.
Public Money for the Public Good! Organize to use public finances for community development. In the wake of the financial crisis, some cities in Oregon responded to organized constituents and set in motion an effort to keep municipal money circulating locally in ways that help build the local economy. Cities such as Portland and Beaverton already have started shifting their money. Over the longer term, grass-roots momentum is beginning to build around the ideas of shifting state finances away from for-profit banks through the development of public state banks.
Activists have been pushing for legislation in many states that would replicate key features of the Bank of North Dakota, a successful public bank founded in Anthony Pollina is championing the effort to create such a bank for his home state. Public banks and credit unions weathered the last crisis much better than private banks, benefiting the communities they served as well. There is a role for action at every level, and especially through institution building at the local level and organized advocacy for state-level democratization of finance. To build a financial sector that works for the public good, start organizing at the city, county and state level to make sure public money flows through community or publicly owned banks — get involved with one of the many groups dedicated to these efforts around the country.
Get your workplace to offer more retirement-plan opportunities for responsible investment.