Capitalism in Crisis

 

Scientists and academics are pointing to increasingly dangerous levels of climate change and habitat destruction, Europe and America are facing their worst economic problems for a generation, and social movements around the world - such as 'occupy' - are calling for sweeping reforms.

Do co-operatives offer an alternative model of social organisation which could address some of these key issues? Or do they simply offer another way of organising businesses within a predominantly capitalist economy? What changes need to happen for co-operatives to become the dominant business model?

The Co-operative Alternative to Capitalism webpages were created by Ethical Consumer to encourage co-operators around the world to write, think and share ideas on this subject in a common space.

In 2012, with help from our project parterns, we ran an essay prize on the subject, and recevied over thirty excellent contributions.  Links to more information on the winners and their ideas appear in the box below.

 

"Is there a co-operative
alternative to capitalism?"
The Essay Prize winners:

1st prize – Dan Gregory: Is there a
co-operative alternative to capitalism?

2nd prize – Nic Wistreich: Open Source Capitalism, Why and How.

3rd prize – Cliff Mills: Is there a co-operative alternative to capitalism?

4th prize – Robbie Smith: Renovating the house of co-operatives.

The winning essay is published in full here, and the second prize essay here. We plan to publish the 3rd and 4th prize essays in March and April 2013 respectively.

A further plan is that winning entries, and others from the many excellent submissions to the Essay Prize will feature in 'The co-operative alternative to capitalism?' a book to be published in September 2013 by New Internationalist Co-operative under its World Changing imprint.

 

 

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