We definitely do. But a few modifications could change the corporate system in a dramatic way. If we forced companies to account for the harm they cause, that would rapidly shift behavior.
If you want to prioritize environmental behavior: Carbon-based taxes are one example, but there are plenty that can generate similar positive behavior changes. Even just basic regulations to tell them exactly what is and is not allowed. We’ve already successfully done with the EPA starting in thr 70s, we just didn’t keep up with it and instead allowed it to reverse.
If you want to prioritize income distribution: Minimum wage was once incredibly powerful. In today’s world, I envision a ratio of executive to average worker pay being crucial (along with a better minimum wage). We should also enact a progressive tax system because it is not currently behaving as one. Once again, both of these have already been done with some success and can be brought up to speed to correct what we need corrected.
Whatever the specific problem is, there’s almost always a way to enact legislation that can change the behavior. Correcting the legislative process is the first step, and even that can be done with the swipe of a pen (legislate over Citizens United and get rid of dark money influence).
I’m not saying this is all easy to do, especially with the current mess we’re in. But it is possible under this system to create a better world, despite still having tons of money and a mostly capital-driven economy.
We definitely do. But a few modifications could change the corporate system in a dramatic way. If we forced companies to account for the harm they cause, that would rapidly shift behavior.
If you want to prioritize environmental behavior: Carbon-based taxes are one example, but there are plenty that can generate similar positive behavior changes. Even just basic regulations to tell them exactly what is and is not allowed. We’ve already successfully done with the EPA starting in thr 70s, we just didn’t keep up with it and instead allowed it to reverse.
If you want to prioritize income distribution: Minimum wage was once incredibly powerful. In today’s world, I envision a ratio of executive to average worker pay being crucial (along with a better minimum wage). We should also enact a progressive tax system because it is not currently behaving as one. Once again, both of these have already been done with some success and can be brought up to speed to correct what we need corrected.
Whatever the specific problem is, there’s almost always a way to enact legislation that can change the behavior. Correcting the legislative process is the first step, and even that can be done with the swipe of a pen (legislate over Citizens United and get rid of dark money influence).
I’m not saying this is all easy to do, especially with the current mess we’re in. But it is possible under this system to create a better world, despite still having tons of money and a mostly capital-driven economy.
Only way to change things is to bring society and humanity to the brink. But not go past it. How likely is that