orb@whuxl.UUCP (SEVENER) (03/27/85)
> From Michael Esco: > > From me (tim sevener): > > Of course there is nothing to say this organization has to be > > either inspired ,motivated or organized in a capitalistic fashion. > > No, but can you name an organization as effective as capitalism? Yes, I certainly can: Cooperative enterprises owned and operated by either the workers or consumers who join them. I have been in several food coops and these were very successful in providing cheaper food of a higher quality than the typical grocery store or health-food store. Policies were determined by all the members and not just some manager or absentee owner. Having such a democratic process led to controversy at times: but better controversy because everyone has a voice than silence imposed by decisions from above. To my great dismay since moving to New Jersey I find that there are no such organizations here. Which has meant higher grocery bills and the sheer unavailability of foods I desire. It has also meant the cutoff of the very pleasant social interaction I have found working with other people to keep a Coop running. I have been interested for some time in studying the success/failure rate of Coops vs most other small businesses. I know that most small businesses have a failure rate of 85%- I cannot be sure, but I would imagine that Coops have a *much* lower failure rate. The reason is simple: like most things getting more people involved lends stability to the organization. By pooling resources and labor people in Coops can accomplish more than the isolated individual small business-person. Moreover people are much more willing to participate in an organization which they operate themselves. Isn't this what democracy is all about? Cooperative enterprises combine the benefits of both the market and a communitarian ethic: while they are not monopolies, they do provide participation and democratic control for their members. Eventually such a method of organization could transform the current style of dictatorial, top-down, bureaucratic control of economic enterprises. tim sevener whuxl!orb