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The Post-Corporate World

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The Post-Corporate World

Life After Capitalism

Berrett-Koehler,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

You — the corporate powerhouse — you can save the planet. Really. Only, first you must put life ahead of money and use your power to implement change.

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Editorial Rating

5

Qualities

  • Bold
  • Visionary
  • For Experts

Recommendation

This book was written as a call to arms. It builds on many themes developed in Korten’s previous book, When Corporations Rule the World (1995). Many in the world of business and finance will not like this book because it posits the radical restructuring of economic systems, specifically suggesting the elimination of capitalism. This book was meant for CEOs who have the power to institute the changes Korten recommends. However, its radical perspective probably means that the book will be more widely read by CEOs of corporations which already have an environmental focus and by the leaders of environmental organizations. getAbstract recommends it to any executive who is interested in a different point of view about the financial world’s role in environmental concerns.

Summary

The planet Earth has reached a crisis point. The time has come to take responsibility. We each must take control of our destiny as a species. This is the time for a political and spiritual awakening based on "overcoming the temptation to sacrifice the spirit for a handful of silver."

Song of Life Vs. The Song of Money

Two songs call to the human spirit. One comes from the world of life. This world consists of all life’s essential building blocks: air, water, trees, people, insects, plants, etc. This world needs certain things to function effectively: balance, synergy and respect for the integrity of parts and wholes. This world’s song is a plea to respect the values of life and to live life to its fullest.

The second song comes from the world of money and its building blocks: corporations, financial institutions and the financial branches of government. This world exists only in the human mind. It, too, requires certain things to function effectively, particularly sustained growth in trade, stock prices, profits and tax receipts. The money world hungers for these things with endless appetite. This world puts a price on everything, including life. The money song...

About the Author

David C. Korten, Ph.D., is the co-founder and president of The People-Centered Development Forum. He received his M.B.A and Ph.D. at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Other books Korten has authored or edited include When Corporations Rule the World, Getting to the 21st Century: Voluntary Action and the Global Agenda, and Community Management; People Centered Development. He has more than 35 years experience in business, academic and international development institutions.

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