Reforming the Free market

[BayCityProgressive]

I wanted to start a discussion with Duers on what can be done to radically change how capitalist economies work or if this should even be a goal. One idea I had was placing worker's representatives, consumers reps, and environmental reps on the executive boards of all large companies (companies with over 500 employees.) these people would somehow be elected to the boards and serve one term. they cannot work in management or hold significant stock in the company. This would serve to balance the actions of the company. The concerns of workers, the environment, and consumers would be taken into account and could be made public.

One Percent- Take one percent of profit from all businesses and put into a global fund to eradicate poverty worldwide-the biggest cause of war and terrorism.

Basic Income Guarantee-The name says it all. Everyone guaranteed a basic income. This would really give us the benefit of socialism-no longer being forced to work for a low wage or in a job you do not want..with the benefit of capitalism-markets as a tool to decide supply and demand. Some countries such as Portugal, Brazil, and Spain are already considering this or have begun to phase it in to society. This would also create smaller government by eradicating the need for hundreds of different patch work social programs. for more info go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income_guarantee

One Big Union- The Industrial Workers of the World have/had it right. Why have different unions for all different kinds of workers? One union for everyone. Now THAT would increase our bargaining power.

I realize none of this is likely to ever happen but I can dream can't I?

[orpupilofnature57]

1. Not a dream, an American goal , supposedly.

[Esra Star]

2. Yes, you can dream. I like the way you dream.

It would seem to me that good ol unionism would still work.
The trouble with mega unions is that they become dinosaurs and tend to not work.
Remaining lean and mobile is the best approach.
Having a central council of unions for information purposes is good.
The thing that is never discussed, that I think would be a good idea is
to create a "price equalisation levy" or whatever you want to call it.
The idea is to collect a 'tarriff' on imported goods that would represent
the damage that was done in the creation of that product.
These funds could then be repatriated to those damaged areas.
So if is grossly underpaid workers, money could go to them.
If it's environmental damage then funds could go to alleviate that.
The upside of this idea is goods manufactured in the first world would become
competitive again.
What do you think so far?

[BayCityProgressive]

4. That is a good idea

[salin]

3. What free market?

what we have today in no way resembles what Adam Smith wrote about per markets. Big conglomerates with aid from govts do not compete freely with smaller organizattions - they often get so many financial advantages that they can shut out smaller competitors.

[mmonk]

5. Go back to separation of business and state.

It's that simple.

[The2ndWheel]

6. While we're dreaming

Get rid of large scale economies period.

Get rid of mass production.

Get rid of the standing armies that secure the resources for mass produced goods that allow large scale economies to turn the world into an object with the sole purpose of being exploited.

Now that's too much to ask.