Tag Archives: principles

The Friedman Doctrine 50 Years On: A Total Disaster

On September 13, 1970, Milton Friedman penned and Op-Ed for the New York Times that was essentially the opening shot of the economic civil war between the rival economic ideas of John Maynard Keynes and F. W. Hayek. Friedman, a … Continue reading

Posted in 2040, Human Relations, Imagine2012, Society | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Our Worker Co-ops Have a Unique Role to Play

We are living in very interesting times. It can be difficult to figure out a coherent strategy with which to negotiate the next 1,237 days (or more). We almost need an individualized strategic plan to manage all of the areas … Continue reading

Posted in Movement | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The “We” Generation

Here we are. The next two years will seem to bring to life the ancient curse, “May you live in interesting times.” The need for mutual self-help and self-reliance along with solidarity will be at the forefront for many of … Continue reading

Posted in Movement | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Worker Development Brings a Better World

REFLECTION NO. 276 Work is the attribute that gives a person the highest honor of being a cooperator of God in the transformation and fertilization of nature and in the resulting promotion of human well-being. That people exercise their faculty … Continue reading

Posted in Human Relations, Pensimientos, Reflections, Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Things We Know

This weekend I noticed a posting from a friend, colleague and mentor of mine: Tom Webb. He had found an old write up called The Things We Know. I am not sure of the source of this document, but if … Continue reading

Posted in The Things We Know | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Open Door Policy of Worker Co-operatives

The 6th Principle of Co-operatives is called, somewhat reflexively, “Co-operation Among Co-operatives.” I have talked about this in a previous post. Today, I want to focus on it from a different perspective provided to us by the spiritual guide of … Continue reading

Posted in Pensimientos | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

It Is Okay to Criticize Co-ops, We Know We Aren’t Perfect

In thumbing through Don José María Arizmendiaretta’s book of reflections (Pensamientos), I came across a neat quote regarding the value of criticism and acknowledging that co-operatives do not ensure perfection. “We do not apologize for shortcomings that may be pointed … Continue reading

Posted in Pensimientos | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

#24 Concern for Community

Concern for Community is the last of the principles listed in the Identity Statement. It is the expression of the value of solidarity and social responsibility. It creates one of the multiple bottom lines for co-operatives. It is not enough … Continue reading

Posted in Governance, Identity Statement Series | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

#23 Co-operation Among Co-operatives

I usually make the snarky comment that the only time that I hear about this principle is when some slacker co-op wants a discount or donation. . . that is horribly unfair, of course. Also, we should discount each other—we … Continue reading

Posted in Identity Statement Series | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

#21-Autonomy and Independence

This is a good week for a discussion about the 4th Principle of Co-operatives. On my other blog, Breathing Lessons, I discuss the role of co-operatives in the race for Governor in Wisconsin. We, in the co-op movement, get pigeon-holed … Continue reading

Posted in Identity Statement Series | Tagged , | Leave a comment