No doubt that society needs new ownership and governance structures that serve stakeholders better. It’s interesting to me, however, to point to a brand new type of structure that has not yet been road tested (or maybe it has?) as a single bullet solution.
As a compliment to this book, I’d recommend Mutualism by Sara Horowitz, which paints a clear picture of how Mutualist structures like unions, co-ops, mutual aid networks, and churches have been a far larger part of the American economic story than we often give credit. It explains how these structures have been warped and undermined at specific points in history, leaving only remnants of what we once had. Early unions created banks, hospitals, insurance companies, and even vacation communities that centered the needs and interests of workers. Many of these still exist today but have been stripped of some key functions. And there are many examples, especially in Italy and Spain of mutualist economies that continue to thrive. Mondrian being one well-known example.
As someone who has experienced the massive tensions and challenges of multi-stakeholder decision-making first hand, I would love to hear real life examples of PCPs in action (maybe this is in the book?) before pushing for these structures as one big broad (untested?) solution. And would seriously advocate for humanity to look into our past, present, and hidden corners of our existing economies to see what practices work in real life and why.
How can we create, protect, and resource models that side-step the profit-hungry dimensions of capitalism and center real practical needs of real people? These models will be varied, localized, and adaptive. And examples may exist all around us if we have the discernment to see them and lift them up.
Neither I, nor the authors, characterize PCPs as a "silver bullet", nor discourage other types of organizing. The book has examples, which I state in the piece here.
No doubt that society needs new ownership and governance structures that serve stakeholders better. It’s interesting to me, however, to point to a brand new type of structure that has not yet been road tested (or maybe it has?) as a single bullet solution.
As a compliment to this book, I’d recommend Mutualism by Sara Horowitz, which paints a clear picture of how Mutualist structures like unions, co-ops, mutual aid networks, and churches have been a far larger part of the American economic story than we often give credit. It explains how these structures have been warped and undermined at specific points in history, leaving only remnants of what we once had. Early unions created banks, hospitals, insurance companies, and even vacation communities that centered the needs and interests of workers. Many of these still exist today but have been stripped of some key functions. And there are many examples, especially in Italy and Spain of mutualist economies that continue to thrive. Mondrian being one well-known example.
As someone who has experienced the massive tensions and challenges of multi-stakeholder decision-making first hand, I would love to hear real life examples of PCPs in action (maybe this is in the book?) before pushing for these structures as one big broad (untested?) solution. And would seriously advocate for humanity to look into our past, present, and hidden corners of our existing economies to see what practices work in real life and why.
How can we create, protect, and resource models that side-step the profit-hungry dimensions of capitalism and center real practical needs of real people? These models will be varied, localized, and adaptive. And examples may exist all around us if we have the discernment to see them and lift them up.
Neither I, nor the authors, characterize PCPs as a "silver bullet", nor discourage other types of organizing. The book has examples, which I state in the piece here.