Alternatives to Capitalist Organization of Production/Distribution

What is Capitalism?

Economic system of production based on private ownership of wealth and means of production Seperation of producers from means of productions; in essence, the elimination of independent producers Class based system Began around 1500 in Europe and British Isles Began series of changes unseen before Constant revolutionizing system of production

Organizations

International Cooperative Alliance

Summary: - ICA is an independent, non-governmental association which unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide. - Founded in 1895, ICA has 240 member organisations from 90 countries active in all sectors of the economy. Together these co-operatives represent more than 800 million individuals worldwide. - ICA's priorities and activities centre on promoting and defending the Co-operative Identity, ensuring that co-operative enterprise is a recognised form of enterprise that is able to compete in the marketplace. - It helps individuals, government authorities and regional and international institutions understand the co-operative model of enterprise. ICA is the voice of the co-operative movement. - ICA ensures that the right policy environment exists to enable co-operatives to grow and prosper. It helps its members in their lobbying for new legislation and more appropriate administrative procedures - ICA promotes capacity-building and financial support, it facilitates job creation and supports poverty reduction and microfinance programmes around the world. - Advocacy, linking donors to organizations, create partnerships, capacity (knowledge, development) building