Common Wealth
For a Free, Equal, Mutual and Sustainable Society
by Martin Large
Just when 'the market' nearly took over all areas of life, the credit, climate and democratic crunches came along, challenging us to rebuild a society that works well for all. Common Wealth asks, 'How can we build a more free, equal, mutual and sustainable society?' We know that we don't want a 'market state'. This turns our public services into businesses, uses relentless surveillance to secure compliance, destroys the planet for corporate growth and widens inequality. However, tripolar society is emerging as an alternative, where civil society, government and business push back the market, and work in partnership for the common good.
Common Wealth tackles key challenges for remaking society by: - building a sustainable local economy, vibrant culture and community - transforming capitalism for public good and for individual enterprise - securing permanently affordable homes for all through community land trusts - enabling social inclusion and individual initiative through the Citizen's Income - freeing education from bureaucracy and children from commercialism - leading and learning from the social future as it emerges Martin Large facilitates cultural, social, and economic renewal. His motto is, 'Better to light fires than fill buckets!' He worked as an academic and in business. He enables community land trusts and social enterprise with Stroud Common Wealth.
'Common Wealth solutions such as mutualising the high street banks and utilities will develop a resilient, self regulating economy that works for us all'
Philip Martyn, retired Joint General Manager and General Counsel of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe Ltd, London
'Brings us bang up to date and tackles difficult questions from the perspective of a man who has made new ideas work. In fact, he has inspired me to re-think much of what I do.'
Alastair Sawday, from the Foreword
Cover illustration by Clifford Harper
Publisher: Hawthorn Press
Format: Hardback
