Reply #26: Any good examples of "conscious commerce" rather than capitalism? [View All]

[OneGrassRoot]

It seems to me that any time one or even a few people control resources and decisions -- and thus the wealth -- greed takes over. Of course, we know modern corporations are legally bound to create profit at any (legal, though perhaps not ethical) cost for their shareholders.

This is why, to me, the only really viable alternative is worker-owned co-ops. Truly democratic frameworks where business is conducted.

There can be templates (like a "franchise" approach, since there's no need to reinvent the wheel) for different businesses that can be replicated locally at a grassroots level, but it's owned locally by members of the community, with a setup such that management doesn't earn more than x amount that of the lowest-paid employee. That shouldn't discourage hard work; just the opposite, because then everyone benefits from the venture's success, not a mere few.

And, in a perfect world, the worker-owned co-ops would be ventures which themselves are mindful of creating no harm and adding benefit to the world. Not creating the next widget just for the sake of creating widgets and creating jobs.

The whole concept of "commerce" needs to be revamped in today's world, imho.