After Occupy: Economic Democracy for the 21st Century

York University research fellow Malleson (Stand Up Against Capitalism) advocates strongly for economic democracy, defined as people’s “equal formal decision-making power in their core economic associations.” In particular, Malleson would like to see worker cooperatives replace the present hierarchical organization of the workplace, where, he asserts, workers are effectively “servants” who are “directed by others.” He cites studies showing that such worker co-ops as La Lega in Italy have more internal equality, increased motivation, and greater job satisfaction. Malleson also illustrates how economic democracy can be instituted in finance and investing through such methods as citizen participation in the budgeting process (currently done in Porte Allegre, Brazil), giving workers a say over the use of their pension funds, and enacting laws to prevent capital flight. He provides ample historical detail to support his points, although the book would have benefitted from more anecdotal material. While some will dismiss his proposals as utopian (though, strangely, he does not argue for changes in our campaign financing system), shows how these ideas have worked in social democratic countries and why they are worth serious consideration. (May)