Economy and Business

Bringing forth a new economy based on local independent businesses and living system principles is foundational to Earth Community. We will continue to pursue this work on two essential fronts: bringing forth the new and withdrawing power from the old. Working with the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, we will continue to support the growth of local living economies across the United States and Canada. Through our work with the International Forum on Globalization, we will continue the work of framing a new model for global economic relationships. Through new formed alliances with the Strategic Corporate Initiative and Corporation 2020, we will support efforts to create a new legal framework that subordinates corporate rights and power to the democratic rights and power of people.

BALLE

The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, or BALLE, is the world’s fastest growing network of sustainable businesses committed to building local economies and transforming the community economic development field. BALLE is comprised of nearly 60 local networks of independent businesses in a variety of locales across the US and Canada, and represents more than 15,000 entrepreneurs.

In an August 2008 interview with The Sun Magazine, BALLE co-founder, Judy Wicks precicted, "Nevertheless, it will take a disaster to change some people’s behavior. I just hope that, as climate change makes life harder and harder and the price of transportation gets higher and higher, those of us who are working now to build sustainable local systems can provide an example that others will follow." Read more...

BALLE Board Member and President/CEO of RSF Social Finance, Don Shaffer asks, in the Fall 2008 issue of GreenMoney Journal, "How can we harness the striving energy and entrepreneurial drive of the American people to move more towards collaboration and partnership, instead of maximum individual gain, while honoring the power of free markets?" Read more...

Money as Debt

Paul Grignon's 47-minute animated presentation tells in very simple and effective graphic terms what money is and how it is being created. David says, "Everyone should see this movie."