Carne Ross, a former diplomat and founder of Independent Diplomat, discusses his anarchist vision of economic well-being, the intertwined relationship between government and capitalism, the externalities of land and the debate around global commons, anarchy as mutual aid, local governance, and the need for bottom-up democracy. The chapter also highlights the importance of taking action in creating a new system and building exemplars.
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Quick takeaways
Anarchism prioritizes voluntary cooperation and mutual aid for a more equitable society.
Alternative currencies and decentralized systems can challenge the current monetary system and promote equality.
Building a better future requires reimagining society based on trust, cooperation, and bottom-up democracy.
Deep dives
The power of cooperatives in creating a better society
Carney Ross, a former diplomat turned anarchist organizer, discusses the importance of cooperative movements in creating a more equitable and sustainable society. He emphasizes the need to prioritize the immaterial and ineffable aspects of human flourishing in our political systems, rather than material consumption and acquisition. Ross explores the concept of anarchism, highlighting its rejection of coercive power and hierarchy, and its emphasis on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. He also discusses alternative models of governance, such as democratic confederalism, and the potential of local currencies and decentralized systems to promote localized economies and community resilience. Ross concludes by stressing the importance of envisioning and working towards utopian ideals, starting with ourselves and our immediate communities.
The challenges of building alternative financial systems
Ross delves into the challenges of building alternative financial systems in the current economic landscape. He discusses his experiences in the Occupy Wall Street movement, where he explored the idea of setting up a cooperative bank to offer affordable financial services. However, he acknowledges the regulatory and capital raising hurdles that hinder the establishment of such initiatives. Ross also raises questions about the fundamental flaws of the current monetary system, which he believes is based on perpetual debt creation and contributes to inequality and environmental destruction. He explores the concept of alternative currencies, such as mutual credit schemes and local currencies, and their potential to mitigate these issues. Ross acknowledges the need for systemic change and suggests that it may be achieved through public ownership of payment systems or a paradigm shift toward cooperation and mutual aid.
Utopian visions and the promise of human cooperation
Ross and Rushkoff discuss the importance of utopian visions and the power of human cooperation. They emphasize the need to reimagine and rebuild society based on principles of trust, mutual aid, and participatory decision-making. Ross highlights the role of relationships in shaping our sense of self and our collective identity, and the need for humility in understanding our limitations and uncertainties. They challenge the narrative that humans are inherently selfish and violent, citing examples from history and current movements that demonstrate the capacity for cooperation and solidarity. Ross concludes by calling for a collective imagination that envisions and embodies a new paradigm of bottom-up democracy and decentralized cooperative systems.
Lessons from Occupy and the potential for future movements
Reflecting on the impact of the Occupy movement, Ross acknowledges its success in raising awareness about inequality and opening up political discourse. He recognizes the importance of unity and diversity within movements and highlights ongoing initiatives that were born out of Occupy, such as the debt cancellation movement. Ross also discusses the potential for future movements to emerge in response to economic crises and societal challenges. He suggests the need for a new paradigm that centers relationships, trust, and cooperation, and calls for the creation of exemplars and lighthouses that can guide the way towards a more equitable and sustainable society. Ross and Rushkoff express a sense of urgency and the need to take action now to build the foundations for a better future.
The complexity of transitioning to localized economies
Ross and Rushkoff discuss the challenges and limitations of transitioning to localized economies. They acknowledge that complete self-sufficiency at a local level may not be feasible in all regions due to factors like climate and resource limitations. However, they emphasize the importance of fostering local cooperation and participation to build resilience and address pressing issues, such as climate change and social fragmentation. Ross highlights the concept of democratic confederalism, which promotes self-governance at a local level while allowing for decision-making at a larger scale through representative structures. They also explore the potential of cooperative networks and models like Mondragon to support local economies and encourage mutual aid. The conversation concludes with a shared commitment to envisioning and building a more cooperative and equitable future.
Former British diplomat, Founder of Independent Diplomat, and author of The Leaderless Revolution Carne Ross introduces us to an anarchist’s vision of economic wellbeing.
AboutCarne Ross
Carne Ross is a former British diplomat, and Middle East and WMD expert, who resigned in 2004 after giving then-secret evidence to a British inquiry into the Iraq war. After Ross quit, he founded the world’s first non-profit diplomatic advisory group, Independent Diplomat, which advises democratic countries and political movements around the world.
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