Winter 2018
Table of Contents
The Solidarity Economies Issue
In Depth
Explore SectionFrom the Editors
Joy Through Economic Solidarity
As American capitalism continues to shovel wealth at the very rich by taking resources away from the struggling rest, it鈥檚 easy to feel defeated, especially with Donald Trump at the helm. This issue began with the idea that something else is happening underneath that official story of the economy. In our work every day, we see communities full of generous people working to lift each other up. So, what opportunities do people have in going about their lives to build solidarity? Every time we purchase something, share something, eat something 鈥� every decision we make to create homes and livelihoods that meet our needs can be tailored to bring maximum social justice to others.
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Capitalism Is Not the Only Choice
We have opportunities every day to build economies that lift each other up and spread joy.
Penn Loh
Infographic: How Money Influences Your Happiness (and Vice Versa)
For a joyful economy, spread the wealth.
Clo Copass & Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz
What Happens When the Rich Invest in Racial Equity
Meet the young 1 percenters who decided to invest their wealth in places that long experienced exploitation.
Araz Hachadourian
The Elite Is Not Who You Think It Is鈥擨t Might Be You
Forget about the 1 percent. Are you part of the top 20 percent of Americans who own 89 percent of our country鈥檚 wealth?
Christopher Famighetti & Darrick Hamilton
When Communities Say No One Should Stay in Jail Just Because They鈥檙e Poor
Five out of six people behind bars awaiting trial are there simply because they can鈥檛 afford bail. Community bail funds offer a solution.
Amy Roe
How to Bring Caring for Kids and Elders (and Other Acts of Love) Into the Economy
It鈥檚 one of the most concrete representations of love that we have, yet it鈥檚 extremely undervalued.
Ai-jen Poo & Sarita Gupta
Building a Co-op Allowed These Musicians to Quit Their Day Jobs
With no major labels in Minneapolis, this hip-hop group started their own label.
Araz Hachadourian
The 150-Mile Wardrobe: A Solution for One of the World鈥檚 Most Polluting Industries
The Northern California Fibershed aims to skirt the rampant waste of resources in the apparel industry.
Araz Hachadourian
A Radical Vision for Food: Everyone Growing It for Each Other
Unlike capitalism鈥檚 many specialized goods and services, food is practical to barter鈥攐r, better yet, to gift.
Peter Kalmus
No Price Tags: These Neighbors Built Their Own Economy Without Money
Time-banking is a model for trading skills, goods, and labor instead of money. There are close to 500 such banks across the country.
Araz Hachadourian
A Populism of Hope Begins When People Feel Their Own Power
At work behind almost any great social movement is an engine of counter-economy.
Nathan Schneider
Shop Here, Not There: Science Says Reducing Inequality Is Almost That Simple
New research shows that shuttling even 5 percent of consumer transactions to poorer neighborhoods can reduce income inequality by up to 80 percent.
Chris Winters
Would You Put a Tiny House for a Homeless Person in Your Backyard?
Because two Seattle homeowners were willing to make space, a 75-year-old man who鈥檚 been homeless for years now has a house and a community.
Valerie Schloredt
How to Restore Our Relationship to Earth
We must reduce our burden on Earth鈥檚 regenerative systems by approximately 40 percent.
David Korten
Solutions We Love
Explore Section
How I Changed My Holiday Traditions to Match My Values
Five ways to celebrate without feeling financially and emotionally overwhelmed.
Zenobia Jeffries Warfield
These People Are Transforming What Happens After You Die
Meet the morticians offering compassionate practices for dealing with death.
Sammi-Jo Lee
The Trump Effect, One Year Later: Thousands of Women Running for Office
After Trump鈥檚 victory over Clinton, women realized how much the country needs them in politics.
Christa Hillstrom
Culture Shift
Explore Section
The Woman Beside Wendell Berry: The Most Important Fiction Editor Almost No One Has Heard Of
Tanya Berry challenges our assumptions about women鈥檚 work and small-town living.
Robert Jensen
Love Letters to the Resistance
More than 30 writers send messages of hope to loved ones in the time of Trump.
Aura Bogado
Books Inspiring Us: 鈥淏eing the Change鈥�
In his new book, NASA climate scientist Peter Kalmus explores the daily practices that build healthy, happy, and resilient communities.
Peter Kalmus
Dear Activists: Throw a Better Party
Five ways to make your next protest more inviting and impactful.
Jennifer Luxton
