Ordo-Communal State

Description

(translated from the French)

Louise Guillot, Rémy Seillier et Sebastien Shulz:

"Unlike the ordoliberal State which guarantees free and undistorted competition, an ordo-communal State would have the role of guaranteeing free and united cooperation. This fundamental principle would make it possible to think about a transition towards a more collaborative, fair and sustainable economy. It establishes cooperation within and between companies, citizen participation and concerted decision-making to achieve economic objectives while taking into account social and environmental issues.

From this perspective, the market retains a place to organize certain sectors of economic activity, although with significant regulations. Rather than considering competition as the sole driver of economic efficiency, this approach recognizes the value of solidarity to build more resilient and inclusive societies. In short, ordocommunalism establishes a society in which actors have a greater interest in cooperating."

(https://aoc.media/opinion/2024/04/11/de-lordoliberalisme-a-lordo-communalisme/)

Characteristics

Louise Guillot, Rémy Seillier et Sebastien Shulz:

"Then, ordo-communalism, as a counter-model to neoliberalism, could rely on certain broad general principles aimed at regulating the market, limiting the excesses of capitalism, and organizing an economic system by promoting cooperation and solidarity. We propose here a first set of principles which can constitute a basis for discussion with political movements and citizens wishing to build a society of the commons.

• Monetary democracy: Money becomes a tool for social justice and environmental stability. Citizens, businesses and public authorities collectively take control over the currencies they use.

• Preservation of resources: Economic actors are accountable for the preservation of the shared resources on which they depend and which they affect in the exercise of their activity. This principle places limits on the market and affirms the collective (and not just public) responsibility to maintain resources for future generations.

• Social property: Forms of social property make it possible to overcome the defects of the proprietary order by more equitably sharing the rights to use and manage resources useful for human flourishing. They make it possible to rebalance the power of owners, whether public or private, with that of citizens and workers while guaranteeing the interests of future generations.

• Cooperation: Cooperation is becoming a central organizing principle of the economy and society. It is about favoring lasting partnerships rather than competitive relationships without constraints.

• Right to citizen contribution: Every citizen is able to demand from the State that it allows them to actively contribute to the production and management of the resources and places that concern them. This means investing in education and social inclusion to ensure that all people have the opportunity to fully participate in the economy and benefit from its benefits."

Horizontal subsidiarity: Public authorities favor citizen organizations in the conduct of activities of general interest. But they remain present in the event of a failure in the self-organization of citizens by intervening to guarantee fundamental rights and collective well-being when necessary."

(https://aoc.media/opinion/2024/04/11/de-lordoliberalisme-a-lordo-communalisme/)