Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Union And Cooperation

Decentralised cooperation, many-to-manyThere is but one mode by which man can possess in perpetuity all the happiness which his nature is capable of enjoying, -- that is by the union and co-operation of all for the benefit of each. Union and co-operation in war obviously increase the power of the individual a thousand fold. Is there the shadow of a reason why they should not produce equal effects in peace; why the principle of co-operation should not give to men the same superior powers, and advantages, (and much greater) in the creation, preservation, distribution and enjoyment of wealth?

-- Robert Owen (1771-1858), Welsh socialist and social reformer, The Social System (1826)

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