"In considering the essential problem of how to produce and distribute material wealth, virtually all of the great economists in Western history have ignored the significance of the commons — the shared resources of nature and society that people inherit, create and utilize. "Already the system of state capitalism is breaking down, threatening the entire planet, its institutions and species. When this collapse can no longer be contained and a global monetary crisis ensues, world society will … Continue reading
The Sharing Economy: It Takes More Than A Smartphone
With the shortcomings of so-called 'sharing economy' corporations like Uber becoming ever clearer, Steven Gorelick argues that place-based networks of mutual support can do much more to promote economic resilience than tech giants ever could. We hope you enjoy his take! "Many years ago I moved from New York City to a remote valley in the mountains of Colorado. Of all the differences from big city life, none fascinated me more than the fact that everyone in this valley left their vehicles … Continue reading
Life’s economy is primarily based on collaborative rather than competitive advantage
"The dominant narrative of separation creates a focus on scarcity, competition and individual advantage, while the emerging narrative of interbeing challenges us to create a win-win-win economy based on the understanding that it is in our enlightened self-interest to unlock shared abundances through collaboration." Read the full story by Daniel Wahl, Findhorn Fellow and specialist in whole systems design and transformative innovation for regenenerative cultures.... Continue reading
The Alternative to Capitalism
"The alternative to capitalism is “Kemitism”.... a need based economy, which philosophy is that all people have inalienable rights to land and natural resources on earth. Everything which is not created by humans, like land, air, water, and natural resources could not be owned and should be regarded as commons. "The community has an obligation to make basic resources available to all members as a human right. The right to land is the first one. Right to habitat is second. The right to … Continue reading
One Human Family, Food for All
"Based on an ancient story about hunger and sharing, this animated video is an “allegory of the spoons” and teaches us that when we struggle to feed only ourselves, everyone goes hungry. But when we focus on our neighbour’s hunger, we discover there are ways to feed everyone." Watch video
Gross National Happiness – The Message
Bhutan is a living example that it is possible to develop in a different way, and is creating a caring economy based on values, altruism, compassion and collaboration. Watch video
Documentary Illuminates the Power of Gift Culture
New Story Summiteer, Marie Goodwin, interviews Robin McKenna on her film Gift.... "I recently met Robin McKenna, the director of GIFT, a film about different facets of the gift economy through the lens of Lewis Hyde's book The Gift. I was struck by how dedicated McKenna is to this project and by the interesting gift-based initiatives from all over the world that she features in her film. "Gifting as a concept can seem so abstract. I get a lot of people commenting to me that gift economics … Continue reading
Small Is Still Beautiful
"As Americans continue to climb their way back from the nosedive that started in 2008, we’d be wise to think twice before putting our faith in rebuilding the very institutions and cultural mythologies that were, at least in part, responsible for getting us in so much trouble in the first place. For all of globalization’s gifts — an increased sense of empathy for those on the other side of the world, being my personal favorite — one of the burdens has been feeling entangled in an economic web so … Continue reading
The end of capitalism has begun
Without us noticing, we are entering the postcapitalist era. At the heart of further change to come is information technology, new ways of working and the sharing economy. The old ways will take a long while to disappear, but it’s time to be utopian. Read the full story by Paul Mason.... Continue reading
Top 10 ideas for a thriving sharing economy by Oliver Balch
Few business ideas are trending so widely right now as the sharing economy – the term for a new breed of peer-to-peer services and collaborative consumption models with the potential to disrupt the status quo. Sharing economy review author and founder of Love Home Swap, Debbie Wosskow, gives her top ten recommendations for a thriving peer-to-peer economy. Continue reading