I’ve always considered the movement for the control and common ownership of companies by their workers to be part of the same struggle as the FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) movement.
Both movements share the idea of holding humans over profit. While worker coops still earn money and sell services in a modern capitalist society, they stand against infinite growth of profit and create conditions for eventual degrowth and abolishment of capitalism. FOSS alternatives to popular corporate software and services go a step further by relying on donations only, completely abolishing profit.
I consider these movements natural allies. Since Coops still make money, and often form federations which have some investment capability, I think it would be wise for Coops to recognize the importance of FOSS as a viable alternative to corporate software and a means to decommodify and de-comercialise the Internet. It would be a huge step towards a more humane economy on a global level.
Would you agree?
Freedom and equality for everyone, I agree, because it would potentially pose a threat to big companies (like Microsoft) at some point, and I dont believe they wouldn’t try to thwart it.
That’s why I think that such a step would require a larger group of people and enlightenment of bigger communities
