A world in which profit is prioritized over life is not a world set to last. But how would a lasting world be? What would it look like?
In order to get this message across, a vision of the ideal future is needed.
If you have thoughts about answers to these questions, join the GYG Economy Working Group to discuss and develop a vision of how the economy would function in a green world!
The purpose of this working group is to vitalise a discussion of green economics, what it is or what it should be. As ecologists/greens we draw substantive political reform from the values of universality, solidarity, harmonious coexistence with nature, emancipation from oppression, bottom-up democracy and more. The green movement has managed to make a name for itself in questions of civil and social liberties, but there remains a lack of vision in
terms of the economic organisation of our ideal society. Socialism, social-democracy, liberalism, social-liberalism, conservatism and even nationalism to some degree offer a vision of how resources should ideally be distributed and who should make those decisions. What is our vision, and how can we shape it to be congruent with our values and ideological beliefs?
Here are some suggestions for what questions could be discussed:
- Should we strive for a structural change in the functioning of the economy such as transitioning to a non-growing economy, or should we focus on regulating the harmful externalities of global capitalism?
- Should we pivot towards local markets, or embrace the global market?
- Diving into the topic of economic democracy – should it be strived for and if so, how could it be implemented (this covers ideas such as a universal basic income, worker-owned businesses and anti-exploitation laws. If interest exists there is plenty to be discussed here.)
Since we are promoting the transition to a society that can co-exist with nature and does not threaten life on earth, we should have a clear a vision of what we´re offering – not just what we oppose. Let us shape that vision together.
How to join the group? Just write to secretary@globalyounggreens.org!
