Dusty 19c ideas

[alanjjohnstone]

When crises arise, solutions are sought and alternative economic systems offered. We saw this with Henry George and with Major Douglas. In recent times we see Parecon amongst other “post-capitalist” models. But throughout the current crises we have witnessed calls not for the abolition of capitalism but its re-shaping. The vision of communism is confused by state-ownership or seen as an unachievable utopia and that bad capitalism can be made into good capitalism. What is up for offer in the Occupy movement and in the more “radical” circles is a more humane capitalism, a hybrid of Ron Paul libertarian right anti-statism and the Left’s co-operative and mutualist tradition, rebranded into a  new economics. Alternet presents an example of this “businesses whose primary purpose is the common good”…even holding John Lewis as a potential model,  little aware that many on the conservative Cameron right also present it an option!

 

http://www.alternet.org/economy/155339/there_is_a_way!_beyond_the_big%2C_bad_corporation/?page=entire

 

We also witness the over obsession with co-operatives and the like on the WSM forum discussions by some posters who consider themselves sympathisers of the party.

 

I think a case can be made to create and direct a response to this supposed capitalist remedy, either in the form of a special edition of the Standard which i believe seeks to have special themed issues , or  a dedicated  hard-copy/online pamphlet. We need to present communism as an immediate and viable system to strive for and not let others totally dictate the debate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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