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Economic Democracy in Latin America and the United States

Economic Democracy in Latin America and the United States. Dada Maheshvarananda www.priven.org. 1. My story. “At the risk of sounding ridiculous, I would say that the true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love.”. Yoga and meditation. me, 1976.

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Economic Democracy in Latin America and the United States

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  1. Economic Democracy in Latin America and the United States Dada Maheshvarananda www.priven.org

  2. 1. My story...

  3. “At the risk of sounding ridiculous, I would say that the true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love.”

  4. Yoga and meditation me, 1976

  5. Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar(1921-1990)

  6. Prout = Progressive Utilization Theory socio-economic model: • economic self-reliance • cooperatives • environmental balance • universal spiritual values. 7

  7. Brazil: Prout: alternative to global colonization. Economic democracy with cooperatives. Basic necessities for all. Capitalist greed is destroying our planet.

  8. Responses to Exploitation Silence Reform Revolution

  9. 2. Economic Democracy... why?

  10. What kind of world do we want?

  11. We all want:

  12. END OF GLOBAL CAPITALISM?

  13. Wealth Inequality in USA

  14. Conservative Frank Luntz fracking = “energy exploration” healthcare reform = “government takeover” government spending = “waste” capitalist = “job creator” CEO bonuses = “pay for performance” global capitalism = “economic freedom”

  15. Economy of, by and for the people

  16. RIGHT TO LIVE! Guarantee five minimum necessities of life to all: • food • clothing • housing • education • medical care

  17. Jobs with fair wages guaranteed to all.

  18. Three Levels of Economy1. Small Scale Private Enterprises

  19. 2. Cooperatives • Base of “economic democracy” • workers own their enterprises

  20. 3. Strategic Key Industries • public utilities • belong to society, never privatized

  21. Local economies

  22. Different Governance 1. Council of respected elders 2. Wise leader 3. Political democracy 4. Participatory democracy

  23. Minimum necessities for all 3. Economic Democracy in Latin America

  24. Free Healthcare

  25. VenezuelanEconomy Poverty reduced 50%. Extreme poverty reduced 70%.

  26. 66,000 functioning co-ops in Venezuela 2nd highest after China!

  27. Community empowerment 33,000 communalcouncils

  28. “We are Chávez!”

  29. CECOSESOLA Food Co-op Barquisimeto, Venezuela Open 4 days/week 450 tons of produce weekly 30% off supermarket prices 55,000 families shop each week!

  30. Co-op hospital Co-op funeral service Many small co-op producers

  31. Workers takeover failed enterprises Argentina: 250 with 13,000 workers – only 2 failed. Brazil: 174

  32. Co-op spirit

  33. Moral Leadership moral force, spiritual vision, courage to fight injustice. Anyonecan become a moral leader. Marina Silva Rigoberta Menchú

  34. What we do Why How Raise consciousness Strengthen cooperatives Promote economic democracy Transform lives Empower communities Welfare of all Publishing Education Research Prout Research Institute of Venezuela Independent, not-for profit foundation since 2007. 38

  35. The Quinta Prout with 40 beds for visitors!

  36. Training courses Prout Projects in Venezuela

  37. Dada: “Every morning I wake up in paradise!” Prout Projects in Venezuela

  38. Prout Projects in Venezuela Yoga classes

  39. Prout Projects in Venezuela Centro Madre: Prout Community Center in Barlovento Didi Ananda Sadhana

  40. Prout Projects in Venezuela Centro Madre: empowering self-reliance through education, sustainable agriculture, holistic development and ethical leadership.

  41. “Excellent” small scale sustainable agriculture

  42. Neohumanist Education "The practice of love for all creation including plants, animals, and the inanimate world." 1000 schools Prout Projects in Venezuela

  43. 4. Economic Democracy in United States

  44. Minimum wage: $7.25/hr.Maximum? US federal employee starting salary: $17,803. Maximum salary: $179,700 (10 times higher). (Source: General Schedule Grade 1 & Senior Executive Service).

  45. Cooperatives: did you know... 1 billion+ people are co-op members? Co-ops provide 2 million jobs in USA, 100+ million worldwide (corporations: 80 milion)? 1st year, 40% new U.S. companies fail (10% co-ops fail)? By 5th year, 60% U.S. companies fail (12% co-ops fail)? [World Council of Credit Unions, Statistical Data: United States Credit Union Statistics, 1939-2002.]

  46. Why don’t people cooperate more of the time?

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