3. Distributing Surplus

Collective Actions for Distributing Surplus

In a community economy we negotiate how to distribute surplus for the well-being of people and the planet.

This is the focus in Chapter 3 of Take Back the Economy.

In businesses, entrepreneurs and workers transform resources, technology, and labour into something new. The most common business type is the capitalist firm in which the primary goal is to make a profit for the owners or shareholders. Other types of business such as social enterprises and co-operatives are driven by different goals such as meeting a social purpose or providing safe and secure jobs for the worker-owners.  These businesses demonstrate that there are ways to distribute surplus that take into account the well-being of people and the planet.

Across the globe people are changing how business is being done and how surplus is being distributed, including: