Worldview

Economic 

Taxes generate income for governments, enabling them to meet needs not met by the private economy. 

Following the Great Depression and World War Two, corporate elites agreed they’d benefit from broad prosperity and strong unions. Since the mid-1970s, however, there’s been a significant shift in global socio-economic dynamics. 

Laws in many countries undercut unions. Governments have increasingly withdrawn from social responsibilities, leading to a sharp rise in economic inequality. In wealthy nations, the most affluent individuals now pay less tax. 

Offshore tax havens hold some 10% of the world’s GDP, costing countries billions of dollars annually in lost revenue. Countries attract foreign capital with lower tax rates and secrecy. 

Democratic approaches to organizing the economy go beyond unfettered capitalism and state socialism and traditional liberal and conservative paradigms. The primary solution is moral: a commitment to promote the public good.  

Actions

As the systemic reform movement becomes more powerful, it counters the growing concentration of wealth and power and establishes a more democratic economy. Society now ensures all workers have good, living-wage job opportunities, whether private or public. Americans trust they and their children can find good jobs throughout their work lives. These jobs give people enough leisure time to enjoy their families, contribute to their communities, and engage in creative activities that give their lives meaning.

The movement works to ensure that everyone has suitable housing, health care, education, and childcare. Seniors have a comfortable retirement. Disabled people work as much as they can and avoid poverty. 

The movement backs the following structural reforms to help society ensure economic fairness.

Boost Unions. New laws increase incentives for workers to join unions, enable unions to reach agreements that cover whole sectors of the economy, and reduce incentives for businesses to oppose unions.

Employee Ownership. Employee-owned businesses benefit workers, are more stable and productive, and are more involved with their communities than are investor-owned corporations. With technical assistance and long-term, low-interest loans, governments support the growth of worker cooperatives and family farms, which boost rural economies.

Public Banks. City-owned public banks support projects driven by public interest. In July 2023, the L.A. City Council funded a feasibility study for a Los Angeles Public Bank.

Public Benefit Corporations. With tax breaks, governments encourage the spread of public benefit corporations whose charters require them to value employees, customers, vendors, communities, and the environment — to serve the public interest as well as make a profit. 

Discouraging tax avoidance.  In August 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres published a draft report evaluating options for a new framework for international tax cooperation under UN auspices to minimize the “race to the bottom” with tax havens. 

The Care Economy. A shift toward the “care economy” more fully rewards and respects service workers such as teachers, childcare workers, nursing home staff, and drug rehab counselors. 

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