#Cooperatives#Coops#Socialism#SolidarityEconomy#WorkerOwnedFirms: "Fast forward to 2024. Once again, the Left is discussing strategies for political advance. It is clear that electoral campaigns on their own and short-lived protests are not enough to win durable victories. But unlike socialists of the past, the contemporary left’s discussions have largely ignored the strategic role that cooperatives — and the solidarity economy more generally, i.e., enterprises geared to serving the needs of workers and achieving broader social goals — can play in building up the Left’s power.
This is a mistake. History shows that a flourishing solidarity economy can provide a distinctive set of material and social benefits for the Left, benefits that can play a key role in socialism’s broader political revival. This is not to say that supporting cooperatives and other kinds of worker-owned firms should supplant our other political tactics — but neither should they be ignored. Rather, cooperatives can and should complement the Left’s other strategic efforts, as the Second International recognized long ago."
What obligation do #platformcoops have to operate at the same scale as or even outperform their venture capital funded corporate counterparts? If a #platformcoop does not succeed in having a similar reach as major corporations with comparable features, should it be considered "low quality" or are there other standards of success worth considering?
#Funkwhale does the streaming but they are designed around users hosting their own music, much more so than musicians. it's just very confusing design imo.
the payments need to be addressed by something like a new open protocol ala the @w3c.
When I was assembling my last book (Corporations: A research agenda), I became quite interested in Mondragon in Spain as an alternative way of organising businesses (and featured them in the book).
Somehow I missed this recent profile on the Spanish Cooperative conglomerate. It make for an interesting read when we are told there is no other way of running firms in capitalism.... because clearly there is!
@ChrisMayLA6
I am in favor of worker's coops. However I noted some weeks ago the following about Mondragon:
In order to become an owner-worker, you have to invest in one of the worker coops;
A large portion of the employees are not owner-workers; and
They have a problem having international workers because of their business model.
I think a part of what makes Mondragon successful is that it is a Basque enterprise. I note that, recently, about 10,000 workers split off from Mondragon.
This community has been going strong for over 50 years.
Neither is a form of socialism although they accomplish results similar to that of socialism. Further, neither of these economic systems are workers cooperatives.
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@lukemartell@seachanger “But the goal is more about creating “rich societies, not rich people”. That means looking after workers during not only the good times but the tough times, too.”
It gives me a glimmer of hope to see that this mentality can not only survive but thrive in the current corporate world. We need more of it!
:TwinPines: "People do not know about cooperatives because of two things. First, a lack of information concerning cooperation, and second, the fact that its principles are opposed to privilege. Cooperatives have two things working against them; ignorance and selfishness." ~James Peter Warbasse (quoted by Cathy Statz). #cooperatives#coops
@thepoliticalcat
That quote is from a very successful co-op organizer speaking in the 1920s. It's even more true now than it was then, but even way back then lack of knowledge and desire for privilege were the main obstacles to the spread of cooperativism.
Tolerance + #Cooperation = Peace
“It feels like mine,” she says. “We work hard, but it’s a totally different feeling from working for someone else.”
That sentiment is echoed by Mondragón’s 70,000 other workers. Made up of 81 autonomous #cooperatives the corporation has grown since its creation in 1956 to become a leading force in the Basque economy.
More than its economic success, though, Mondragón has become a beacon for the co-operative model, as a more humane and egalitarian way of doing business that puts “people over capital”. Every worker has a stake in the company’s fortunes and a say in how it is run, and receives a share of the profits. But the goal is more about creating “rich societies, not rich people”. That means looking after workers during not only the good times but the tough times, too." https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/apr/24/in-the-us-they-think-were-communists-the-70000-workers-showing-the-world-another-way-to-earn-a-living?CMP=share_btn_url
"Internal growth is not an absolute and universal imperative for entities in the SSE. There is an appropriate size for every market and every business model. Internal upsizing may sometimes be needed, as is the case with many small worker cooperatives or large supply cooperatives (energy, telecommunications, credit, etc.), while in other instances it is merely an option, and an often dangerous one at that."
The shamrock ornaments that are created at Stella NC Works are custom made in her shape from their own cookie cutter pattern. You can't get them anywhere else on earth. What a great way to decorate for St. Patrick's Day with a one of a kind handmade clay shamrock ornament in several different color options.
Four Leaf Clovers are not just for St. Patrick's Day! You will dazzle all year long with this cheery green polymer clay charm on an adjustable chain bracelet.
Shop for this festive bracelet by Emaloe's Thingys on Artisans Cooperative Marketplace: https://buff.ly/4bu8W9O
February is Black History Month! If you are looking for a special gift to celebrate, this stunning royal blue Zulu African Beaded Necklace will turn heads at your next event!
You can shop for this gorgeous piece created by TribalTess on Artisans Cooperative Marketplace: https://buff.ly/4947xFf
With the simple change of encouraging and incentivizing cooperatives as a business model, we can solve the vast majority of the dystopian-level economic problems we are currently experiencing.
La Escuela de Activismo Económico, dedicada a formar jóvenes con espíritu cooperativo en las entidades de la economía social y solidaria, inicia la 5ª edición.
Impulsada por la cooperativa #Ecooo, cuenta con nuestro apoyo, entre otras entidades como:
@thom4 Je t'invite à envoyer un message direct à l'asso : https://www.labrasseriedudigital.com/contact/ , l'orga de l'asso est assez active dans la préparation d'évènements, et on cherche toujours du soutien et du sang neuf 💪
Here is a sample from a dittoed Forestry Workers Cooperative newsletter from 1983. The "State of the Co-op" address by the outgoing President (that was me) is here offered. Term of that office was one year in rotation -- there were elections but it was effectively a sortition. Pay was hourly as decided by vote of the full co-op, except in the case of piece work which paid half by the piece and half by the hour. The prevailing work philosophy was Syndicalism. We were an offshoot of the much larger and better known Hoedads, Inc., which is known to search engines. 1/2
Experience the timeless beauty of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge with this hand drawn foiled print. The shimmering embellishments bring a touch of enchantment to this unique artwork, making it an ideal addition to any art collection. Embrace a piece of the vibrant city by the bay today!
We're well into January and baby, its cold outside in much of the northern hemisphere! What better way to warm up and take the chill out of those frigid fingers than with these snow-themed hand warmers? These reusable hand warmers are not only economical but also eco-friendly, allowing you to save money while reducing your environmental impact. Shop Made Creatively on the Artisans Cooperative Marketplace: https://artisans.coop/products/warm-up-chill-out-set-of-2-handmade-snow-themed-hand-warmers#handmade#artisans#makers#cooperatives
Avui 28 de desembre Google ha anunciat que es divideix en centenars de #cooperatives de consum sense afany de lucre propietat de les persones usuàries, que passa tot el seu software a #AfferoGPL, abandona l'ús de perfils de #vigilància i crea un fons per restaurar els #danys causats.
Benvingudes les googlcoops a la tecnoètica i l'economia solidària!
