Is System Change Possible? Long-Term Strategies

The new economy is rich in experiments and examples, but can these various efforts actually build up to challenge, displace, and ultimately replace our current economic system? Three panelists explore ambitious yet pragmatic strategies over the long term for our organizing, activism, and institutional development. Clear, articulated theories of change can better guide the movement to boldly transform corporate capitalism and create a just and sustainable future.

The Internet of Ownership: Cooperative Platforms for the Online Economy

The Internet of Ownership: Cooperative Platforms for the Online Economy

As the online "sharing economy" devolves into poor labor conditions and monopolistic practices, the concept of "platform cooperativism" offers a hopeful vision for a more democratic online economy. This new wave of entrepreneurs, investors, and business developers are merging offline cooperative economics with the Internet in creative ways. In this CommonBound 2016 workshop, leaders discuss how far this emergent movement has come, and explore some of the challenges it faces in the struggle for the future of the online platforms we increasingly depend on.

Challenging a Rigged Market: Policy Tools That Enable Local Businesses to Thrive

Challenging a Rigged Market: Policy Tools That Enable Local Businesses to Thrive

For too long public policy has rigged the market to favor big corporations, undermining small, locally owned businesses, especially those launched by women and people of color. Now local businesses and activists across the country are working to change the rules to instead support community enterprises. In this CommonBound 2016 workshop leaders of these efforts look at how cities and states can expand financing for local businesses, keep commercial space affordable, end corporate subsidies, better support entrepreneurs of color, and more.