As the climate crisis intensifies and global inequality deepens, thinkers and activists are increasingly calling for alternatives to replace capitalism.
It isn't the models we lack for; it's the will. All those models are really just one -- it's people who live in mutuality, where the profit motive isn't in play. Our creative energies now are needed to get humanity in a mindset to go this way.
Roar, thank you for such a complete and yet concise explanation of Economic Democracy and Prout.
I have cross referenced it in my morning posting to Robert Reich’s substack. I will copy my posting below:
Marc Nevas
Marc’s Substack
13 mins ago
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edited 1 min ago
As I have said before on this Substack I am not looking just to re-empower the Democrats and attempt to put “guardrails on capitalism.” It is not a true and lasting solution. We will be dealing with a post “wrecking ball” destroyed economic, political and justice systems so we do not just rebuild what was so easily destroyed in the past, we build something new, more fair and more durable. We build an entirely new system.
I think on the situation of New Orleans after the devastating hurricane. Here was an opportunity to build a new New Orleans a bit north and well protected from the inevitable future destruction due to Climate Change and rising sea levels. But no, billions were spent to rebuild a city in the same vulnerable place sure to be destroyed again sometime in the future. Here is an example of lack of vision and fear of “thinking outside the box.”
Personally I see a future in a system most commonly known as “Economic Democracy” that exists to insure that economic prosperity is shared by all and the local economies are empowered to make their own decisions and not be at the mercy of ultra wealthy outside corporations like Walmart. My town, like many others, has had local businesses destroyed by the existence of a new Super Walmart. and all the profits that used to circulate in the local economy are now in the pockets of wealthy stockholders who could care less about the welfare of my town and its citizens. Is this the system we want to fix?
Thank you, Mark, for your kind comments and for making references to my article on Robert Reich's substack. I am new to this medium and am looking forward to further postings, comments and other engagements.
Your thoughtful exploration of the intersecting visions of Prout, degrowth, and Indigenous resistance is both timely and inspiring. These frameworks, though distinct in their origins and emphases, converge on the critical understanding that capitalism, in its current form, cannot sustain the planet or its people. The systemic inequities and environmental degradation it perpetuates demand bold alternatives, and the perspectives you’ve outlined offer compelling paths forward.
The shared principles—prioritizing ecological health, decentralizing power, guaranteeing basic needs, and fostering spiritual and ethical values—highlight the potential for a unified movement. By weaving together these diverse strands, we can craft a vision that is not only inclusive but also deeply rooted in justice and sustainability.
Your call to action is a reminder of the urgency of this work. Climate chaos and global inequality demand transformative solutions, not incremental adjustments. By drawing from these rich traditions, we have the opportunity to co-create a system that values life over profit, community over competition, and harmony over exploitation.
Thank you for presenting these powerful ideas and for inspiring collective reflection on how we might bridge divides to build a future that honors both people and the planet. The work ahead is indeed immense, but the convergence of these visions gives us hope that such a future is not only necessary but possible.
Thank you, Christy, for your insightful comments summarising both the essence of the connected frameworks presented in my article and the timely need for cross-fertilization and action.
I think this might resonate with you - progress and intelligence ain't always where we see them...
https://open.substack.com/pub/heyslick/p/think-like-a-jaguar-speak-like-a
It isn't the models we lack for; it's the will. All those models are really just one -- it's people who live in mutuality, where the profit motive isn't in play. Our creative energies now are needed to get humanity in a mindset to go this way.
Roar, thank you for such a complete and yet concise explanation of Economic Democracy and Prout.
I have cross referenced it in my morning posting to Robert Reich’s substack. I will copy my posting below:
Marc Nevas
Marc’s Substack
13 mins ago
·
edited 1 min ago
As I have said before on this Substack I am not looking just to re-empower the Democrats and attempt to put “guardrails on capitalism.” It is not a true and lasting solution. We will be dealing with a post “wrecking ball” destroyed economic, political and justice systems so we do not just rebuild what was so easily destroyed in the past, we build something new, more fair and more durable. We build an entirely new system.
I think on the situation of New Orleans after the devastating hurricane. Here was an opportunity to build a new New Orleans a bit north and well protected from the inevitable future destruction due to Climate Change and rising sea levels. But no, billions were spent to rebuild a city in the same vulnerable place sure to be destroyed again sometime in the future. Here is an example of lack of vision and fear of “thinking outside the box.”
Personally I see a future in a system most commonly known as “Economic Democracy” that exists to insure that economic prosperity is shared by all and the local economies are empowered to make their own decisions and not be at the mercy of ultra wealthy outside corporations like Walmart. My town, like many others, has had local businesses destroyed by the existence of a new Super Walmart. and all the profits that used to circulate in the local economy are now in the pockets of wealthy stockholders who could care less about the welfare of my town and its citizens. Is this the system we want to fix?
For an in-depth exploration of equitable systems of economic and political functioniing check out the following “Crisis and Transition A Common Way Forward" Substack: https://crisistransition.substack.com/p/post-capitalist-compatibility-degrowth
Thank you, Mark, for your kind comments and for making references to my article on Robert Reich's substack. I am new to this medium and am looking forward to further postings, comments and other engagements.
Your thoughtful exploration of the intersecting visions of Prout, degrowth, and Indigenous resistance is both timely and inspiring. These frameworks, though distinct in their origins and emphases, converge on the critical understanding that capitalism, in its current form, cannot sustain the planet or its people. The systemic inequities and environmental degradation it perpetuates demand bold alternatives, and the perspectives you’ve outlined offer compelling paths forward.
The shared principles—prioritizing ecological health, decentralizing power, guaranteeing basic needs, and fostering spiritual and ethical values—highlight the potential for a unified movement. By weaving together these diverse strands, we can craft a vision that is not only inclusive but also deeply rooted in justice and sustainability.
Your call to action is a reminder of the urgency of this work. Climate chaos and global inequality demand transformative solutions, not incremental adjustments. By drawing from these rich traditions, we have the opportunity to co-create a system that values life over profit, community over competition, and harmony over exploitation.
Thank you for presenting these powerful ideas and for inspiring collective reflection on how we might bridge divides to build a future that honors both people and the planet. The work ahead is indeed immense, but the convergence of these visions gives us hope that such a future is not only necessary but possible.
Thank you, Christy, for your insightful comments summarising both the essence of the connected frameworks presented in my article and the timely need for cross-fertilization and action.