Fighting for a new systemic vision Expanding democratic ownership

One lesson a year of COVID-19 has taught us

by Ted Howard

For many people, the pandemic has ripped off the sunglasses that masked the true colors of our political economy. The question now is whether we will settle for a superficial and ephemeral recovery of the old system or use our capacity to build a new system.

Mother and child during COVID-19. Photo by vperemen.com

by Ted Howard

For many people, the pandemic has ripped off the sunglasses that masked the true colors of our political economy. The question now is whether we will settle for a superficial and ephemeral recovery of the old system or use our capacity to build a new system.

Owning our future after COVID-19

Fighting for a new systemic vision Demanding racial equity

Owning Our Future After COVID-19

by Ted Howard, Ronnie Galvin, Joe Guinan, Marjorie Kelly

The Democracy Collaborative is putting forward a five-point plan for national economic reconstruction and community transformation as the nation faces a once-in-a-generation opening to build a better world.
COVID-19 and 21st-century public ownership

Expanding democratic ownership Redesigning the enterprise

COVID-19 and 21st century public ownership

by Thomas Hanna, Mathew Lawrence

COVID-19, an epochal event, has made the case for reimagining the ownership and governance of our economies on both sides of the Atlantic more urgent than ever. An agenda to extend democratic public ownership is essential.

Next City Local Economy

Centering community and place Expanding democratic ownership

How localities can save small businesses through local economy preservation funds

Dramatic interventions are necessary to preserve local businesses at risk of failure due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local economy preservation funds can purchase and hold these enterprises and prepare them to flourish in the recovery.
The New Systems Reader

Fighting for a new systemic vision Centering community and place

The New Systems Reader: A 'landmark book' for an unprecedented time

by Gus Speth

This book highlights some of the most thoughtful, substantive, and promising answers to how to reshape an economy battered by a global pandemic on top of the looming climate crisis, chronic structural racism, and worsening wealth inequities.

How we are building the democratic economy....

A view of the US Capitol

Theory and Policy for a Next System

Working on both sides of the Atlantic, we are advancing bold interventions in transformative policy that move the window of possibility decisively towards systemic change.
A joint event podium for the Cleveland Clinic and Evergreen Energy Solutions

Leveraging Anchor Institutions

We are creating a national movement of anchor institutions—place-based nonprofits like universities and hospitals—working together to build community wealth.
A raised Black fist in front of a city street

Racial Equity and the Democratic Economy

Building a truly democratic economy means having the courage to collectively center and confront the effects of historical and ongoing racism in the way today’s economy is built.
An aerial photo of an urban community

Catalyzing a movement to build community wealth

We have successfully advanced, defended, and normalized the notion that local economic policy should directly create and support economic institutions that deliver democratic outcomes.
Hands working with fabric

Next Generation Enterprise and Systemic Design

We need to envision and create an entirely new concept of the company—a just and democratic firm—designed for a new mandate: to serve broad well-being and the public good.
A community celebrating a solar array

Climate justice and energy democracy

Our emphasis is where climate and energy meet structural issues of ownership, control, and finance, underscoring the connection between a just transition and a democratic economy.
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Illustration courtesy of United Nations

All health is public health: Busting the myths of choice and commodity

For decades, we have been sold a myth of private health. It is a myth that our health is largely a product of individual choices and personal responsibilities. It is a myth that our healthcare is a service that private corporations can provide, and for which we must pay to survive. But the COVID-19

Neil McInroy (Source: Coop News)

Neil McInroy joins TDC to advise stepped-up community wealth building program

The former CEO of a leading UK economic think tank will be central in helping build capacity to offer powerful new technical assistance to cities and local authorities pursuing community wealth building strategies.

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The Democracy Collaborative and The Democracy Collaborative Workers' Union agree to fair severance package for laid-off staff

TDC and union members have agreed to a package of protections that goes well beyond the baseline severance provisions for layoffs agreed to in TDC’s union contract.

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HAN Anchoring Resilience: Aligning supply chains and impact purchasing for community health summit

The Healthcare Anchor Network (HAN) convened the “Anchoring Resilience: Aligning Supply Chains and Impact Purchasing for Community Health” summit to spark collaboration in the healthcare sector around onshoring and localizing production of PPE and other supplies, with an emphasis on equity, sustainability, and supply chain resilience.