As the disparity between rich and poor continues to grow, and in the US, as the middle class is put at risk, and the concentration of wealth (which will only increase as a result of this economic downturn) increases, the importance of strong communities with a local focus become even more urgent.
Why strong communities with a local focus?
David Korton underscores what is at stake when he writes:
One of the important lessons of history is that those who own, rule. Even in titular democracies, the powers of ownership readily trump the power of the ballot and play an often decisive role in shaping cultural values. For these reasons, growing living economies that democratize economic relationships in the deepest sense is a leading edge of the work of birthing Earth Community.
“The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community” (2006, p342+)
When we let corporations, who exist to generate money, manipulate values and consumer preferences for their own ends, things like quality of life, character and the environment become collateral damage. A possible response? Local ownership and accountability.
Read a longer excerpt here (link will open in a new window).
