Alternative capitalism is in a paradoxical situation. It is often not supported enough by banks and financial institutions, even if public supports really exist, today more than ever before. At the same time the new technologies give great opportunities to this sector to develop, contribute better to causes like solidarity or environment. However this sector, which is a real far west today, which includes its promising sides, have to be more internationalized in its organization, the structures of their professional associations, their lobbies…
This kind of capitalism is not supported enough by many financial institutions. It can be said because they are partly considered as potential trouble makers, even if it is a good way. Without being anti capitalistic, many companies prefer to support the “bread and games” logic than promoting education, culture and more critical sense. However alternative capitalism is giving a lot of place to culture, libraries, and gives a lot of importance to education or long term investment values. Misfortunately it can be said that the dominant model in the Western world is quite reactionary ; it is time to reactivate its traditional reformist opponent. The opposition between reformists and reactionaries is very old and exists from a lot of more time than marxism for instance. Alternative capitalism is a realization of reformism in the economical system. Moreover it is a way to realize “gauchist” engagements, without being without money.
But this kind of capitalism cannot really work if it is not internationalized. Misfortunately initiatives are too localized, and the impact is often far to be able to compete with multinationals which are able to spread in a great deal of countries in the world. It is the reason why it is necessary to invest in this internationalization.
This engagement can take different forms. First it can include more international meetings around themes linked to the environment. The different viewpoints are wealth to build a more efficient system. Second it can be useful to put again at the center of the engagement ideological and intellectual debates. It is the reason why philosophers, writers, economists, theologians… have to be more included in this process. Traditional capitalism tends too much to separate intellectuals from businessmen ; on the contrary alternative capitalism show in its inner system than both are not incompatible, and the creativity and elaboration used to write philosophical books can be useful to innovate… and build an efficient alternative system.
Marx rightly thought that an ideology can spread efficiently if it is internationalized. In the line of Hegelian ideas, who was an opponent of Marx, this idea can be followed. Ideologies in only one country is too dependent on personal ambitions. It is the reason why it is necessary to work for a real international movement, less dependent on political movements. It will be a long term process which needs to be sustained constantly. It can be supportive to realize the great potential the new technologies can bring to alternative capitalism, for instance crypto currency. Those factors show that the time we live in, with all its uncertainties, can contribute to bring many positive things thanks to this sector.
The observer 