The WIR Bank in Switzerland has been successfully running for over 60 years. It was started in the 1930s in response to the great economic crises of the time. Studies have shown that it's turnover is extremely counter-cyclical, adding to the resilience and stability of the Swiss Economy. They are a great long-term example of how financial co-operatives prove to be more resilient in times of crisis. Almost 20% of all Swiss Businesses are members and they have an annual turnover of nearly £3 … [Read more...]
RIP Richard Douthwaite
Saddened to hear the news that Richard Douthwaite just passed away after a period of illness. Richard was a tremendous pioneer and thought leader who championed economies that functioned in balance with and of the ecology. Please, if you do nothing else, read at least these two of his books (both utterly important and timely despite being written years ago) Short Circuit: Strengthening Local Economics for Security in an Unstable World (1996) Read it … [Read more...]