Economic Democracy
September 2025
Democracy
A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, through elected representatives.
~ Oxford Languages
Capitalism
An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the
state.
~ Oxford Languages
Creating a Healthy Economy
Economic Democracy
A proposal to integrate and expand economic decision making from simply managers and shareholders to include the voices and needs of workers, consumers, suppliers, communities and the broader public.
~ adapted from Wikipedia
The eras of Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D.Eisenhower, and John F Kennedy provide many positive examples of cooperation between government and business
~ Frederick Lancaster, Maine
Economic Democracy is Our Goal
Framing is the art of articulating a political vision, based on a moral or ethical stance. Conservatives do this with “Culture War,” which speaks to everything within their movement. Clear. Simple. Concise.
For us, an Economic Democracy places our basic human needs at our core. We must have government ensure basic human needs are within reach of every American citizen. This frame is clear, simple, concise:
“An Economic Democracy will ensure Liberty and Justice for All”
Basic Needs:
*Housing *Health and Safety * Livable Planet
* K-Post high school training * Fair elections
We begin with the moral frame, “Liberty and Justice for All”
Toward A Thriving Democracy and a Healthy Earth- The Vital Distinction
Democracy is distinct from capitalism. One is a set of laws that govern society, the other is an economic system. Today, in the United States, capitalism rules our society, while our democracy suffers. Let’s explore:
America ranks #20 in Quality of Life *; the highest ranked countries are: Canada, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, followed in the top ten by other European nations and New Zealand and Australia. In the U.S., many cannot find the means to provide a good quality of life.
Our capitalism and democracy fails our moral call of
“Liberty and Justice for All”
Social Progress Imperative
Mission Statement
We dream of a world in which people come first. A world where families are safe, healthy and free. Economic development is important, but strong economies alone do not guarantee strong societies. If people lack the most basic human necessities, the building blocks to improve their quality of life, a healthy environment and the opportunity to reach their full potential, a society is failing no matter what the economic numbers say.
The Social Progress Index is a new way to define the success of our societies. It is a comprehensive measure of real quality of life, independent of economic indicators. socialprogress.org
We must lead with a moral call to guide our economy:
“Our global economic system leads to suffering, poverty and the destruction of the planet. We Pledge our Allegiance to an Economic Democracy to insure basic human rights and liberties ==>
Universal Clean Energy; Universal Shelter; Universal Opportunity; Universal Safety and Health-care; Universal Suffrage.
Our vision is to use Democracy to guide our economy.
“Democracy must guide our economy to secure a healthy, safe future”
Here, I have created a progressive political frame based upon our values, which can lead our actions and our politics.
Frederick Lancaster
* Wharton School at Univ. of PA., and the BAV Group
The SPI is an example of Economic Democracy, where guidelines can direct economic policies which benefit people and the planet.
The guardrail and embankments create a guide for a calm Maine river. We must create guidelines for our economy to serve people, other species and the Earth.
Today, we need a moral clarity to rally people to action, to secure our future!
