The Budget: What’s Wrong with Washington?
Category: Inequality
Why We Worship False Idols, Always Have, And Always Will
[Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Global Imperial Plutocratic/Kleptocratic Brave New Fantasyworld of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump] BY SCOTT DEWEY – As long as humans worship the trappings and display of power and wealth—as with celebrity, political power, military power, economic power—and they obviously do—there can be no democracy; democracy cannot … Continue reading Why We Worship False Idols, Always Have, And Always Will
The ‘Terrorist’ in the White House
BY PHILIP KOTLER The US has been downgraded in The Economist’s Democracy Index. It is now in the “flawed democracy” category. Donald Trump got elected as U.S. President on a platform that included a lot of changes that appealed to many people. Trump promised to “Make America Great Again” by bringing back the high paying jobs that had moved overseas … Continue reading The ‘Terrorist’ in the White House
Are We Kissing Democracy Goodbye?
BY PHILIP KOTLER & CHRISTIAN SARKAR – As President-Elect Trump and his “Corporate Cabinet” take over Washington – the American public will witness radical changes taking place in our institutions, policies, and regulations. These changes might undermine America’s position as the world’s leader over the past century. The billionaires and generals who make up Trump’s cabinet bring … Continue reading Are We Kissing Democracy Goodbye?
What would Make America Great Again? The Battle Between Two Definitions of Greatness
BY PHILIP KOTLER – America’s greatness was recently challenged by Donald Trump who asserted that the U.S. had lost its greatness. His campaign slogan was “Make America Great Again.” He claimed that only he and his party could restore the country’s greatness. This raises the question: How can we define where a country ranks in its “greatness?” I have long … Continue reading What would Make America Great Again? The Battle Between Two Definitions of Greatness
Trump Trumpets His Real Plans
BY RALPH NADER – Even for a failed gambling czar, Donald Trump has been surprisingly quick to show his hand as he sets the course of his forthcoming presidency. With a reactionary fervor, he is bursting backwards into the future. He has accomplished this feat through the first wave of nominations to his Cabinet and … Continue reading Trump Trumpets His Real Plans
What Populism? Trump’s America Is Party Time for the Corporate Elite
By ROBERT WEISSMAN “Trump has converted the GOP into a populist working-class party,” Trump advisor and far-right economist Stephen Moore told Republican members of Congress at a caucus meeting. Well, advisor Moore, meet the Trump transition team. The leader of the would-be populist working-class party has invited rogues’ gallery of insiders—corporate lawyers, investment fund managers, … Continue reading What Populism? Trump’s America Is Party Time for the Corporate Elite
Are We Facing a Jobless World?
BY PHILIP KOTLER If We Face a Jobless World, What Can We do About it? A depressing thought: U.S. citizens are facing the prospect of slower economic growth for the next 10 or 20 years. Instead of returning to the 3.5% growth rate of the post war period, GDP, at best might grow at only … Continue reading Are We Facing a Jobless World?
Do We Really Want Democracy?
Our founding fathers raised this same question! They didn’t want a Monarchy. But they also didn’t want a Mobocracy. John Adams, our second president, distrusted the masses and defended inequality among men and advocated a government by an Aristocracy based on birth, education, and wealth. Even our two political parties want to moderate Democracy. They … Continue reading Do We Really Want Democracy?
Democracy in Decline: An Interview with Phil Kotler
Philip Kotler’s upcoming book – Democracy in Decline: Rebuilding its Future describes 14 symptoms of a sick democracy: #1. Voter Literacy & Turnout #2. Quality of Political Leadership #3. Exceptionalism #4. Public Trust #5. Gridlock #6. Money in Politics #7. Gerrymandering #8. Extremist Primaries #9. The President vs. Congress #10. Federal vs. State Governments #11. Supreme Court vs. … Continue reading Democracy in Decline: An Interview with Phil Kotler
Third Wave Capitalism – An Interview with John Ehrenreich
Where did the wheels come off our Democracy? by Christian Sarkar John Ehrenreich is an American author, academic, and clinical psychologist who has published books on health policy, US social policy, and US history. He is the author of Third Wave Capitalism: How Money, Power, and the Pursuit of Self-Interest have Imperiled the American Dream … Continue reading Third Wave Capitalism – An Interview with John Ehrenreich
No-Compromise: Why We (The People) Can’t Take It Anymore
BY MARK BLESSINGTON I long for a reemergence of an FDR-like era. FDR was a no compromise Democrat. He was even willing to take on the Supreme Court. It happened before, and it can happen again, if we push hard enough. I’m not ready to give up on the USA yet. For me, Hillary Clinton represents giving up … Continue reading No-Compromise: Why We (The People) Can’t Take It Anymore
Capitalism at the Crossroads: An Interview with Stuart Hart
An interview with Stuart L. Hart – “the pioneer of sustainable business.” Hart is one of the world’s top authorities on the implications of sustainable development and environment for business strategy. He is currently the Grossman Chair of Sustainable Business at the University of Vermont. Previously, Hart founded sustainable MBA programs at Cornell, UNC, and … Continue reading Capitalism at the Crossroads: An Interview with Stuart Hart
Why is it so difficult to rein in Wall Street?
BY SUHAIB RIAZ, University of Massachusetts Boston; Sean Buchanan, University of Manitoba, and Trish Ruebottom, Brock University Reforming Wall Street has become a key issue in the ongoing presidential primaries. Bernie Sanders in particular has used his rival’s close ties to the financial industry, including speaking fees and political donations, to suggest Hillary Clinton wouldn’t … Continue reading Why is it so difficult to rein in Wall Street?
Needed: A New Set of Income Tax Brackets
At what income does the middle class end and the rich begin? Hillary defined the rich as starting with incomes over $250,000. Bryce Covert, in an article, claimed that the middle class ends at $206,568. Why? Because this is the income that defines the start of the top 5% of income earners. The top 5% is … Continue reading Needed: A New Set of Income Tax Brackets
The Sad Legacy of Compromise Democrats
By Mark Blessington I call this the Era of Compromise Democrats. From an economic perspective, the last Democrat to really fight for the people was Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was even brave enough to stand up to the Supreme Court. While President Obama immediately spoke out against Citizens United in 2010, he did nothing to directly oppose it. … Continue reading The Sad Legacy of Compromise Democrats
Are CEO’s Overpaid? Ask Jamie Dimon!
BY PHIL KOTLER – We just got the news that JP Morgan decided to raise CEO Jamie Dimon’s pay by 35 percent! He will take home $27 million for 2015! The JPMorgan directors think that Jamie is singularly responsible for the rise in their revenue and profits in 2015. Or they admit that a few … Continue reading Are CEO’s Overpaid? Ask Jamie Dimon!
Should Securities Transactions be Taxed?
BY PHIL KOTLER – My latest post on the Huffington Post channel asks whether the Federal Government should raise more tax money and do some good in the process by placing a financial transaction tax (FTT) on the purchase and sale of securities. Join the discussion!
What’s driving the surge of corporate inversions?
BY J RICHARD HARVEY, JR., Villanova School of Law – Corporate inversions have been front page news in the US for months with everyone from President Barack Obama to the man on the street expressing a view as their usage has surged. Unfortunately, many of these views are not well informed. For example, most news reports cite … Continue reading What’s driving the surge of corporate inversions?
The Robots are Coming! Will they eat our jobs?
BY PHIL KOTLER – Look at the picture below. What do you see? A manufacturing process, with no workers in sight. We humans have been replaced by robotic arms and artificial intelligence. Think of an Amazon distribution center. Most of the ordered books and goods are picked up by robotic arms and assembled near a … Continue reading The Robots are Coming! Will they eat our jobs?
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Needed: A New Set of Income Tax Brackets [A Response to the “$250,000 a Year Is Not Middle Class” Op-Ed by Bryce Covert]
by Philip Kotler Hillary Clinton’s stated recently that she will not raise taxes on the middle class. She will raise taxes only on the rich and super rich. But at what income does the middle class end and the rich begin? Hillary defined the rich as starting with incomes over $250,000. Bryce Covert, in an … Continue reading Needed: A New Set of Income Tax Brackets [A Response to the “$250,000 a Year Is Not Middle Class” Op-Ed by Bryce Covert]
Bernie Sanders: “To Rein In Wall Street, Fix the Fed”
BY BERNIE SANDERS in the New York Times: WALL STREET is still out of control. Seven years ago, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department bailed out the largest financial institutions in this country because they were considered too big to fail. But almost every one is bigger today than it was before the bailout. If any were … Continue reading Bernie Sanders: “To Rein In Wall Street, Fix the Fed”
FORTUNE: What the Presidential Candidates Are Failing to Address About CEO Pay
Phil Kotler’s latest article in FORTUNE asks us to ask more questions. In the last Republican TV debate, Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief, Gerald Baker, put the following question to presidential candidate Rand Paul: “Income inequality has been rising in the United States. Fifty years ago, for example, the average CEO of a big corporation in this country earned … Continue reading FORTUNE: What the Presidential Candidates Are Failing to Address About CEO Pay
CALL FOR ENTRIES: Greed! A Video Contest from Econ4
The Econ4 network of teachers, professors, practitioners, students and others are working to shift how economics is understood, taught and practiced. We’re now launching a video contest to crowdsource as many short, 3 minute videos about “Greed” as possible. We will distribute many of these across our network and beyond. The contest is patterned after the … Continue reading CALL FOR ENTRIES: Greed! A Video Contest from Econ4
Ohio strikes blow against gerrymandering
Richard Gunther, Ohio State University On November 3, Ohio voters approved by a margin of 71% to 29% a constitutional amendment that will greatly reduce, or even eliminate, the gerrymandering of state legislative districts beginning in 2021. Ratification of Issue 1 by the voters followed its approval by bipartisan votes of 28-1 in the Ohio … Continue reading Ohio strikes blow against gerrymandering
VIDEO: Corpocracy – at the Station Museum of Contemporary Art
Corpocracy is the absurd reality of our society in which corporations and their interests are allowed to have dominance over the economic and political systems. Through the subversive imagination, the artist works toward a transformation of social consciousness. WATCH: The show features 13 artists including, Beehive Design Collective, Michael D’Antuono, Ron English, Clark Fox, Kenneth … Continue reading VIDEO: Corpocracy – at the Station Museum of Contemporary Art
Can innovators build a future that’s both disruptive and just?
Ethan Zuckerman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology A few days ago – October 30 – MIT’s Media Lab celebrated its 30th anniversary. The Media Lab is a place that takes very seriously the idea that we can invent a better future and have it spread around the globe. It’s a place that’s helped invent things that … Continue reading Can innovators build a future that’s both disruptive and just?
Corporate America’s Plan to ‘Misbehave Without Reproach
by Jon Queally, staff writer – CommonDreams.org An independent investigation by journalists featured in the New York Times on Sunday offers an in-depth look at the way American corporations have used the inclusion of “arbitration clauses” within consumer contracts to strategically circumvent judicial review of their behavior and immunize themselves from class action lawsuits –”realistically the only tool citizens have to fight … Continue reading Corporate America’s Plan to ‘Misbehave Without Reproach
Art & Response: An Interview with Michael D’Antuono
Considered one of the world’s most controversial artists, Michael D’Antuono is known for making art that challenges people to think more deeply about sociopolitical issues. His collectors range from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Pete Seeger and his work has received high praise from fellow artists Shepard Fairey and Banksy. What made you decide to dive into this sort of … Continue reading Art & Response: An Interview with Michael D’Antuono
Questioning Reality: Yoshua Okón’s Videos of Alienation
Yoshua Okón was born in Mexico City in 1970 where he currently lives. His work has been described as “a series of near-sociological experiments executed for the camera, blends staged situations, documentation and improvisation and questions habitual perceptions of reality and truth, selfhood and morality.” Okón challenges the assumptions we make as so many of us live our lives … Continue reading Questioning Reality: Yoshua Okón’s Videos of Alienation
The Struggle Against Joyless Materialism: The Art of Clark Fox
Clark V. Fox (aka Michael Clark), the “Godfather of modern underground art,” started making art full time in Houston, Texas at age 5 and has never slowed down since. “Art chose me: I’m an American Indian, and Indians make stuff. My father carved. My mother painted. when I was five, I’d go up and down the … Continue reading The Struggle Against Joyless Materialism: The Art of Clark Fox
Make it Rain (∄MIR): The Social Practice of Kenneth Tin-Kin Hung
Social practice is an art medium that focuses on social engagement, inviting collaboration with individuals, communities, and institutions in the creation of participatory art. For artist Kenneth Tin-Kin Hung, social practice meant taking on the very foundation of capitalist society – money. Running out of money? What’s an artist/entrepreneur to do? Why not make like the Federal … Continue reading Make it Rain (∄MIR): The Social Practice of Kenneth Tin-Kin Hung
Art Against Inequality: The Works of Eugenio Merino
The works of Spanish-born artist Eugenio Merino deal with matters such as politics, religion and society with the purpose of making us question our assumptions – the truth we are told by society, by the images and constructs of the dominant culture. “My work is about our relation with the world we live in and … Continue reading Art Against Inequality: The Works of Eugenio Merino
The End of Corporate Personhood?
David Cobb’s latest on We the People, Not We the Corporations, is up on our Huffington Post FIXCapitalism channel. Read the article, and watch this interview below:
Move to Amend’s Proposed 28th Amendment to the US Constitution
House Joint Resolution 29 introduced February 14, 2013 Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights] The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only. Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution … Continue reading Move to Amend’s Proposed 28th Amendment to the US Constitution
Free Online Class: “The Creation and Destruction of the Great American Middle Class (1930-2010)” with Professor Stanley Stasch
This course is an economic history of what happened to ordinary American people and families from about 1930 to 2010. From the late 1940s to about 1980 ordinary people and families in the United States enjoyed a tremendous increase in their prosperity and quality of life, especially when compared with the conditions that existed during … Continue reading Free Online Class: “The Creation and Destruction of the Great American Middle Class (1930-2010)” with Professor Stanley Stasch
VIDEO: Wealth Inequality in the USA
A video on the distribution of wealth in America, highlighting both the inequality and the difference between our perception of inequality and the actual numbers. The reality is often not what we think it is.
Labor Day? Let’s Tell The Truth And Call It “Assets Day”
Come on, face it. “Labor Day” is a national fiction — right up there with “anti-trust enforcement” and “regulating Wall Street.” The only parades that matter this September 7th will trudge through Wal-Mart, Gap, Radio Shack and other retailers in mad pursuit of holiday price reductions that come from eviscerating labor, not investing in it. … Continue reading Labor Day? Let’s Tell The Truth And Call It “Assets Day”
Our Partnership with Huffington Post – Join Us!
We’ve just begun a partnership with Huffington Post – and we invite you to join us. It’s worth repeating why we’re doing this: Capitalism must evolve to serve the needs of all citizens, not just the very affluent. Our goal is to discuss the 14 Shortcomings of Capitalism and systematically analyze the problems and potential solutions. … Continue reading Our Partnership with Huffington Post – Join Us!
Zeynep Ton: Happier employees mean higher profits
WATCH: Fareed Zakaria interviews Zeynep Ton
WATCH: Hedrick Smith on Who Stole the American Dream?
Hedrick Smith is a Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times reporter and editor, and Emmy award-winning producer/correspondent. He has won most of television’s top awards including two Emmys and two Dupont-Columbia Gold batons for the best public affairs programs on U.S. television in 1991 and in 2002. His current best-seller, Who Stole the American Dream … Continue reading WATCH: Hedrick Smith on Who Stole the American Dream?
Plutocrat Nick Hanauer: “The Pitchforks are Coming”
Nick Hanauer warns us all about the future: Forget about “trickle down” economics. The pitchforks – the angry mobs – are coming… WATCH:
Listening to the Voice of the Planet
Since the Japanese Quality Revolution of the 1970s and 80s, companies have been obsessed with hearing and incorporating the “Voice of the Customer” into their management systems and processes. Many still struggle to incorporate this elusive voice effectively–to be truly customer driven. Indeed, many firms are still on the journey to learn how to “build … Continue reading Listening to the Voice of the Planet
What is a Conscious Business? An Interview with Raj Sisodia
Raj Sisodia is a leading figure in the Conscious Capitalism movement – he is the FW Olin Distinguished Professor of Global Business and Whole Foods Market Research Scholar in Conscious Capitalism at Babson College in Wellesley, MA. He is also Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Conscious Capitalism Inc. Let’s begin by asking: what is a conscious business? … Continue reading What is a Conscious Business? An Interview with Raj Sisodia
REPORT: Regenerative Capitalism
In April 2015, Capital Institute released Regenerative Capitalism (by John Fullerton) at an event hosted by Yale University. John Fullerton is the founder and president of Capital Institute, “a collaborative working to explore and effect the economic transition to a more just, regenerative, and thus sustainable way of living on this earth through the transformation of finance.” Through the … Continue reading REPORT: Regenerative Capitalism
VIDEO: Bill Gates on “How to Fix Capitalism”
Richard Stengel interviews Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates. We’ll reference this conversation in future discussions. The big question: how can we, as a society, encourage companies to do good?
A Note on Progressive Taxation of Personal Income
Many a bitter fight is waged over tax policy. How high should sales taxes go? How should we tax personal income? What deductions should be allowed? Should all income regardless of the source be treated the same? Most countries have a similar list of income classes: the poor, the working class, the middle class, the … Continue reading A Note on Progressive Taxation of Personal Income
The Great Corporate Tax Dodge
Confronting Capitalism by Philip Kotler is organized around 14 shortcomings. The list is broad and his thinking is brave and deep without being strident or bleak—a daunting challenge and a wonderful contribution given the controversial if not explosive nature of emotions at the intersection of money and politics. Kotler’s inaugural post for this site invites enhancements … Continue reading The Great Corporate Tax Dodge
With encyclical, Pope Francis elevates environmental justice
Lisa Sideris, Indiana University, Bloomington When the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose Francis as his papal name, he signaled to the world a dual commitment to sustainability and the global poor. His namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi, was a man of poverty and peace who loved nature and animals, and is said to have … Continue reading With encyclical, Pope Francis elevates environmental justice
Introduction
Welcome! As you’re aware, we live in a time where rational voices are increasingly questioning the shortcomings of capitalism. A group of us are starting a new online-community called FIXCapitalism.com and I wanted to personally invite you to participate. My name is Phil Kotler, and I’m a professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. The community brings together business … Continue reading Introduction