Reply #37: I posted in your other OP about co-ops, but [View All]

to answer this specific question, I'll go here.

I think that on DU, you have a solid contingent of people who can't even CONCEIVE of any other business model that's not the hierarchical, owner/workers one. And DU is pretty much of a "leftish" forum, so I'm sure in the general population it's an even MORE alien concept.

However, that doesn't mean that general run of DUers don't understand it. In fact THIS forum has gotten a WHOLE lot more "socialistic" over the last year. But there's also a solid contingent of Classic Red left (of which I'm proud to consider myself one) where this model is a little too anarchistic for comfort.

That's why I keep stressing that this "Red Union" model of DIRECT worker ownership of means of production CANNOT be used for larger, interstate, or "general welfare" type industries. Those MUST be nationalized and run by the people represented by their government. Even the "market" model is tolerable only on a (relatively) micro scale. I'll consider the "market" when nobody's hungry or homeless in the world. Until then I want a demand economy that produces enough food and housing and clothing for the general welfare.