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STWR recently took part in an event called Reclaiming the Alternative held in Brighton, East Sussex, UK (#ReclaimBrighton). The free event was based on the ethic of the gift and sharing, with various presentations given about grassroots alternatives to the unsustainable business-as-usual economy. STWR was invited to give a perspective on the transformative potential of the sharing economy, in which we introduced our essential argument: that the sharing economy indeed has the potential to transform society, but only if it is part of a massive, global and explicitly political movement aiming towards real justice, sustainability and democracy. - See more at: http://www.sharing.org/information-centre/blogs/reclaiming-alternative-transformative-potential-sharing-economy
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Reclaiming the alternative
The transformative potential of the sharing economyAdam Parsons31st October 2014
Reclaiming the alternative www.sharing.org
STWR is an independent civil society organisation campaigning for a fairer sharing of wealth, power and resources within and between
nations.
Through our research and activities, we make a case for implementing economic sharing as a pragmatic solution to a broad range of interconnected crises that governments are failing to adequately
address – including hunger, poverty, climate change and environmental destruction, and conflict over the world’s
natural resources.
About Share The World’s Resourceswww.sharing.org
Reclaiming the alternative www.sharing.org
Sharing nationally…examples
• Progressive taxation and public spending is a complex form of economic sharing whereby a nation redistributes a portion of its financial resources (personal income and assets, as well as company profits) for the benefit of society as a whole.
• Land value taxation as a form of public revenue can share the value of a country’s land more fairly with citizens.
• Access to natural common resources such as air and water can also be understood in terms of sharing, which would mean that the common good of all people must be prioritised over commercial or private interests and market mechanisms.
• Truly democratic governance demands a more equitable sharing of wealth and political power among citizens, with potentially dramatic implications for participatory politics.
www.sharing.orgReclaiming the alternative
Global sharing…is still in its infancy
Sharing is still not sufficiently expressed in the governance systems and economic structures that underpin the global economy. For example:
• Global governance bodies such as the World Trade organisation, World Bank and International Monetary Fund are undemocratic and pursue a purely market-based approach to international trade, finance and development.
• Official Development Assistance (ODA) is grossly insufficient, ineffective and often problematic for recipient countries.
• International trade is riddled with self-interest and extremely inefficient from an environmental perspective.
• The United Nations is in need of considerable reform to render it more democratic, inclusive and effective.
www.sharing.orgReclaiming the alternative
“The sharing economy is a broad term used in this report that encompasses the many systems of sharing and redistribution that exist locally, nationally and globally - whether facilitated by individuals, states or other institutions. It is concerned with the social, economic, environmental, political and spiritual benefits of sharing both material and non-material resources - everything from time and love to money and natural resources.
In comparison, the global sharing economy refers specifically to systems of sharing and redistribution that are international or global in nature - whether facilitated directly by people and governments or by global institutions like the United Nations. It refers to the many methods by which the international community can share their financial, technical, natural and other resources for the common good of all people. The global sharing economy is still in its infancy, but is nonetheless an important expression of the growing sense of solidarity and unity between people and nations.”
The sharing economy – nationally and globallyBroadening the definition
www.sharing.orgReclaiming the alternative
As global citizens and organisations who uphold the common good of all humanity, we recognise that:
• Sharing is our human nature…
• Our failure to share is a root cause of the world’s crises…
• Sharing is the key to creating a better world…
• A demand for sharing is on the rise across the world…
• Sharing is a common cause that unites us all…
By signing this statement, we affirm the fundamental importance of strengthening and scaling up all genuine forms of sharing in our divided world. We therefore add our voice to an emerging worldwide call for sharing, and commit to engage in this crucial debate at every opportunity.
A global call for sharingSign-on statement
www.sharing.orgReclaiming the alternative
Campaigning for a fairer sharing of wealth, power and resources within and between nationswww.stwr.org
Reclaiming the alternative
