On June 9th, at the Strategies for a New Economy 2012 Conference, a historian and political economist discussed the urgent need for new institutions. He argued that the current system is

On June 9th, at the Strategies for a New Economy 2012 Conference, a historian and political economist discussed the urgent need for new institutions. He argued that the current system is politically stalemated, economically stagnant, and decaying, despite managing the wealthiest nation.

He emphasized that public awareness of these systemic failures creates an opportunity for fundamental rethinking. As an example, he cited the Cleveland experience, which successfully integrated profits into the community, supported by existing purchasing institutions.

Today's corporate economy is radically unequal and unsustainable, prompting a search for alternatives. This episode explores community wealth building, a strategy to reorganize local and national

Today's corporate economy is radically unequal and unsustainable, prompting a search for alternatives. This episode explores community wealth building, a strategy to reorganize local and national economies for better outcomes for people, communities, and the planet. Guest host Laura Flanders features Democracy Collaborative's Marjorie Kelly, Preston City Council Member Matthew Brown, and Scottish Government adviser Neil McInroy.

This is part two of a four-part series on how communities transform local economies by harnessing assets and anchoring capital locally. Explore the full series here. Additional resources include the Democracy Collaborative and Marjorie Kelly's book, Wealth Supremacy.

In this Bioneers episode, guest host Laura Flanders explores "Community Wealth Building," a model democratizing the economy, fostering cooperative businesses, and creating broad community wealth.

In this Bioneers episode, guest host Laura Flanders explores "Community Wealth Building," a model democratizing the economy, fostering cooperative businesses, and creating broad community wealth. It features Gar Alperovitz of the Democracy Collaborative, India Pierce Lee discussing Cleveland initiatives, and John McMicken from Cleveland's Evergreen Cooperative Corporation.

This episode is part one of a four-part series on transforming local economies by anchoring capital and resources. Laura Flanders also hosts "Laura Flanders & Friends" (lauraflanders.org). Explore the full series here. Additional resources include the Democracy Collaborative (democracycollaborative.org) and Evergreen Cooperatives (evgoh.com).

Gar Alperovitz, a political economy professor at the University of Maryland and co-founder of the Democracy

Gar Alperovitz, a political economy professor at the University of Maryland and co-founder of the Democracy Collaborative, delivered the Green Party convention's keynote address, aired by Democracy Now. Emphasizing "we," Alperovitz stressed the importance of third-party politics to challenge a corporate-run society.

Author of "America Beyond Capitalism: Reclaiming Our Wealth, Our Liberty, and Our Democracy," he argued that systems are defined by wealth control. He highlighted that "the top 400 people own more wealth now than the bottom 185 million Americans taken together," calling it a "medieval structure."