From corporate globalization to global co-operation : we owe it to our grandchildren

This book is about the need for an alternative to capitalism. But what does that alternative look like? And given the ever-increasing wealth and power of the 1 percent and the fact that corporations are given carte blanche to turn natural resources into profit, is an alternative possible? Tom Webb argues that a massive shift to social enterprise, primarily co-operatives, is required. More than 250 million people around the world work for co-operatives, and co-operatives impact the lives of three billion people. This model reduces almost every negative impact of capitalism — it is a model that works. Webb outlines the principles co-operatives need to hold to if they are to be a successful alternative to capitalism and examines the public-policy changes needed to nurture such a transition, but he remains neither wildly optimistic nor unduly pessimistic. A better world is possible, but it is not inevitable. "The book is about the need for and possibility of an alternative to capitalism. The first three chapters are a critical analysis of capitalism, neoclassical economics and the for profit business model to establish the context for globalization. Too many excellent critiques of capitalist economies end with a call for some type of intervention by government as the only corrective. In our quasi democracies this seems highly unlikely. The one percent who own almost 50% of the world's wealth can control the outcome of most elections leaving us with Margaret Thatcher's 'there is no alternative' if we rely on governments. The book makes a case that there is an alternative--a massive shift to social enterprise, primarily co-operatives. Co-operation is far more deeply embedded in the human spirit than competition. Co-operation is the most powerful driver of evolution. More than 250 million people around the world work for co-operatives; they have a billion members and they impact the lives of 3 billion people. This is an organizational model that works. It can be scaled up. The book looks at how co-operatives, if they remain true to their principles and are not muddled by having to survive in a dominant capitalist economy, help reduce almost every negative impact of capitalism. It also looks at how co-operatives need to significantly improve their adherence to their own identity if they are to become even more attractive and make the maximum contribution to create a better world. Finally, it looks at public policy changes that would nurture a transition. The conclusion is neither wildly optimistic not unduly pessimistic. A better world is possible but it is not inevitable."-- Provided by publisher