C-ops, collectives, the community

[Staatsburgerkunde]

Our teachers recently began to develop practical approaches towards community redevelopment. A significant emphasis has been in the development of co-ops, collectives and other community run initiatives. From winery collectives in County Cork, Ireland (2)to Belfast Maine, where a worker owned cafe recently included wine tasting, art exhibitions and other cultural enclaves (1). Can you imagine a return of the saloons that once housed every great intellect that walked the old continents. If the petite bourgeois (3) of America can form co-op run business' for their vacation homes, the common citizen can surely achieve a new form of economic autonomy through a better understanding of their economic and social power in study and action. We can discuss and develop theory this is a vital part of the process, but we must remain practical and enact programs which can improve the community regardless of the hierarchies. Perhaps this view of deconstruction is optimistic, but it is born in action. We have the ability to utilize our current economic systems to liberate those who desire freedom. The Peace, Earth & Justice News.org (4) recently ran an piece on what it refereed to as a the "New Economy Movement." Check it out, the idea is what we have just discussed, the trend towards community revitalization at all levels. We hold the key to the process within our very philosophy, action then remains our sole course.

1) Belfast, Maine

- http://waldo.villagesoup.com/business/o ... -op/816953

2) County Cork, Ireland

- http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ ... 95141.html

3) la petite

- http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 541642.DTL

- http://www.southbendtribune.com/busines ... 9115.story

- http://www.theprovince.com/jobs/Maximiz ... story.html

4) PEJ.org
- http://www.pej.org/html/modules.php?op= ... =0&thold=0




I am no prophet, I am a tiller of the ground; for I have been made a bondman from my youth... (Zechariah 13:5)