Surviving Capitalism (Not) : Global economic inequality: the billionaires vs. the penniless

We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Global economic inequality: the billionaires vs. the penniless

Click here to access article by Deniz Kellecioglu from Real-World Economics Review Blog.

In contrast to the ongoing devastation to the lives of the 99 Percent, the One Percent is richer than ever. But, that is inevitable under the system of capitalism which is controlled by them for their benefit. The liberal author carefully avoids mentioning the system; but, to his credit, he points briefly to a very subversive idea:

Surely an inclusive, participatory and democratically functioning economy is the ideal alternative. The real challenge is, in my opinion, how to get there (the transition), especially considering the necessary process of empowerment and disempowerment.