Pluralism vs. Authoritarianism: Gar Alperovitz with Laura Flanders

"No is not enough, says Naomi Klein, so if no isn't sufficient, what might be? This week, ​Laura talks with author/activist Gar Alperovitz, co-chair of the Next System Project (a framework for imagining 'the next system' of governance, democracy, and security). From the gloom of today he sees the principles of a Pluralist Commonwealth emerging. Then a video from Local Futures, counts down the many changes that can come from investing locally. All that and a commentary from Laura on the Diggers and feeding while rebelling."

[theicyridge]

Thank you, Laura Flanders, for your wonderful interviews with Gar Alperovitz, one of the greatest minds and hearts of our time.

[scod]

Good job Laura, Common Wealth, Local Production, and Diggers!!!

[LondonCaracasLondon]

Laura. great show!!! I want to invite you to Venezuela. if we manage to avoid civil war we may help US in finding credible alternative to the current model.

[barbarajohnson]

Yay, didn't know about the one in Italy. Will download his book.

[nthperson]

One of the great unresolved issues facing the world's people is seldom discussed. This is the issue of property rights in nature. The operating principle of just law, law that secures and protects both liberty and equality of opportunity, requires a recognition that access to the earth's surface and natural resources is the birthright of all persons, equally. For reasons I have not been able to understand, even very thoughtful persons such as Gar Alperovitz do not seem to recognize this problem.

The solution to "the land question" has been understood by many clear thinkers in the past (and a few in the present). The discussion is found in the writings of all of the major and minor political economists, beginning with Richard Cantillon in the early 17th century. Henry George took their analyses to a higher level, arguing the case for the elimination of all taxation in favor of the public collection of land rent. George's campaign for change failed in the face of determined opposition from those who benefited by land monopoly. Yet, George's analysis was embraced by public figures such as Leo Tolstoy, Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, Louis F. Post, Frederick Howe and Sun Yat-Sen.

Edward J. Dodson, Director
School of Cooperative Individualism

[barbarajohnson]

I have heard of new concepts being discussed in Britain and Europe ( NOT In North or South America interestingly)" Positive Money" Would love to know more about that.

[jeromeskyrud]

I haven't yet read the book so I shouldn't be commenting, but I cannot resist one question after listening to you talk to Laura Flanders. Bottom-up efforts at the city level have been countered by State governments passing laws to remove sovereignty from the local level and thereby destroy those local efforts for system change. Without local sovereignty, aren't we just on a treadmill?.

[neosoontoretro]

Although, I agree a lot with this video, I think they put too much of the blame on corporations, which is a mistake that is a lot of left-wing populists make. This anti-corporate narrative simply isn't supported by the facts. As Jonathan Rothwell, an economist from the Foreign Policy website put it "The problem isn’t trade or corporations—it’s the monopolization by professional groups of high-profit services". However, I do agree that we need a decentralized alternative to keep income inequality at bay, so that whole communities can have access to markets such as housing, financial, professional services.