System Change Initiatives
On this page you'll find links to projects initiated by Alliance for Democracy leaders. Though diverse in their approaches and target audiences, they reflect the need for deep change embodied in the notion that "the issue isn't issues, the issue is the system."
Check out posts on our blog for updates on these initiatives.
Check out posts on our blog for updates on these initiatives.
GANE: General Agreement on a New Economy
The General Agreement on a New Economy (GANE) was developed by the Economics Working Group under the leadership of Ruth Caplan, while a project of the Tides Foundation. It was the result of a robust discussion among forward thinking economists and policy advocates taking place over several years, and became an Alliance project as part of the Corporate Globalization/Positive Alternatives campaign.
GANE is a way of thinking about the economy which centers on the local and builds outward to regional and national levels. It focuses on full employment, equity, and environmental sustainability. This systemic approach is described in GANE as “community federalism.” First published after the 2008 crisis and Wall Street bailout, GANE envisions policy that meets the needs of people in relation to their community, rather than corporate profits.
You can read the full GANE document, as well as articles and reading lists on communities, local capital, meaningful work, corporations and the federal role in transitioning to a new economy at the GANE website.
GANE is a way of thinking about the economy which centers on the local and builds outward to regional and national levels. It focuses on full employment, equity, and environmental sustainability. This systemic approach is described in GANE as “community federalism.” First published after the 2008 crisis and Wall Street bailout, GANE envisions policy that meets the needs of people in relation to their community, rather than corporate profits.
You can read the full GANE document, as well as articles and reading lists on communities, local capital, meaningful work, corporations and the federal role in transitioning to a new economy at the GANE website.
The Grassroots Institute
The Grassroots Institute: Progressive Solutions for the Common Good, is an initiative to educate on systemic causes of our deteriorating political, economic and environmental systems, and the citizen-based solutions that are creating a vibrant future.
For the last three years, Institute members have taught a course on "Grassroots Solutions and Corporate Power" at Mendocino College, in Ukiah, California. Now the materials for the course are available online at the institute website. Download them to...
The institute is also working on a year-long project to help communities map the business, non-profit, government and citizens groups that are already building an economy for our common good. The solutions to our sustainable future are already at work in our towns, cities and countryside. We just have to recognize them, bring them together and support them.
For the last three years, Institute members have taught a course on "Grassroots Solutions and Corporate Power" at Mendocino College, in Ukiah, California. Now the materials for the course are available online at the institute website. Download them to...
- Present a comprehensive course on corporations and democracy in your community to educate and engage concerned citizens;
- As a guide for a study group;
- To educate an issue-oriented campaign on relevant systemic economic and political problems and solutions;
- As a personal study guide to understand how our most vexing environmental and social crises are rooted in corporate and money power.
The institute is also working on a year-long project to help communities map the business, non-profit, government and citizens groups that are already building an economy for our common good. The solutions to our sustainable future are already at work in our towns, cities and countryside. We just have to recognize them, bring them together and support them.
