What *is* Co-operative Socialism?

What *is* The Plan for Co-operative Socialism?

I've been asked.

So:

In essence the plan proposes conversion of all workplaces into appropriate co-operatives.

An end to rent, interest and profits-to-shareholders

The replacement of Ownership of Economic Resources with time-limited, not-transferable 'Co-operative Careship' contracts with the Community

A money, banking and finance system that is interest-free, not-for-profit, co-operative and 'For The Common Good': both nationally and locally; and internationally

A guaranteed Living Income for Everyone: not means' tested and suplemented, if workers so decide, with Paid-work Income up to and not beyond a Socially-determined maximum

This, therefore, reders personal taxation unnecessary

A gradual reduction in the need for money: by making more and more goods and services 'Community Provided and Free-at-the-point of-use'

There are videos and a radio interview on YouTube and reading materials at www.interestfreemoney.org/papers

I hope this helps!

Please share.

Thank-you!

Nice quote!

From this site:

“He who controls the present controls the past. He who controls the past controls the future.”
George Orwell

The aim of The Labour Party

Only if our Labour and Co-operative Parties declare for true socialism: Co-operative Socialism will we win.

And complete our historic objective: Clement Attlee's quote Ch6 opening paragraph: 'The aim of The Labour Party is the establishment of the Co-operative Commonwealth.'

Some key terminology

A small, but I consider, key aspect to terminology.

In our Fair World Project's living plan for Co-operative Socialism, we value the term, 'Co-operative Careship: a) because 'care' is a verb b) because the term 'Co-operative' implies conformity with the Co-operative 'Definition, Values and Principles' as agreed, from time-to-time by co-operators, globally (see the ICA Statement at www.interestfreemoney.org/papers).

Thus in this Ecological Assessment process, as described we are seeing better that a set of *collaborative* relationships: rather, we are seeing *Co-operative* Careship at work.

The supportive evidence is Principle 7 in the ICA Statement (ICA= Intetnational Co-operative Alliance). Thus, Principle 7, if I tecall the wording correctly:

'Co-operatives carry out practices, approved by their membership, for the sustainable well-being of their communities.'

The plural, I suggest, to that last word, includes the soil communities, both flora and micro- , macro- and intermediate-fauna.

Thank-you fir this work, Savory Institute and friends, Alan Savory included.

Not getting involved in politics?

In the comments to the item below, at Youtube, one questioner asked why governments should be involved.

I offered the following:

naturerancher  because *our* governments define the economic and social context in which good *and* bad flourish.

It is the objective of the puppet masters that control governments (at present) that we disengage from influencing governments: they want us to be anarchists, while they continue as authoritarians.

Sadly.

The solution is, as in the Comment I offer below.

I hope this helps,

Very best wishes,

John Courtneidge

What to do next

What to do next . . .

The system of capitalism is so binary (ie those that exploit versus those who are exploited) first-past the post is best.

That said, the fly in the ointment are the 10% of families that constitute the exploiters' 'Praetorian Guard' in my 2:10:88 analysis:

   2% of families are 'the capitalists', 10% are their Praetorian Guard while we, the 88% pay Rent, Interest and Profits to the 2% who, then, allow the 10% to tax us in order that they, the 10%, have guaranteed higher-than-us paid-work incomes, perks and pensions.

That 10% will then bully, bribe and brain-wash us, the 88% into complying with the stitch up.

The lack of political education (even by 'working class' organisations such as The Labour Party, the Trades Unions and the Co-operative 'movement') means that, at least half of the 88% don't vote, and, of the reaining 44%, most vote with a lack of clarity.

So the 2% and 10% plus, say 30% of the 88% manage to keep the status quo going.

Grrr!

The solutions that I offer are two-fold: political education to widen and deepen the awareness that a Co-operative Socialist alternative to capitalism is a) beneficial to all and b) feasible.

And, secodly, to repopulate the Second Chamber (the House of Lords here in the UK) on a randomly-selected one per Constituency basis, retiring by thirds and serving for three year terms (once the initial population have served for one year, two years, three years, by lot).

Both may be necessary.

Where the money is to come from

The Co-operative Socialist approach: paid work income cap so no need for personal taxes.

Thus financial surpluses from trading co-ops go into The Common Purse for appropriate investment, circulation and Living Income for Everyone.

Da, da!