Economic and organisational democracy (EOD)

A society that enables everyone to live a good life within planetary boundaries is not created by profit-driven companies. Economic power must therefore be democratised. Economic democracy aims at the political and democratic governance of the economy and thus at aligning economic development with social objectives with the essential participation of all stakeholders, such as producers, users, civil society and the environment. Without the democratisation of the economy, any democracy remains incomplete. For a humane, just and solidary social and economic order that goes beyond capitalism, the question of what is produced, how and for whom must be placed at the centre.

What is the state of economic and organisational democracy in Germany and beyond? On this website you will find resources and an overview of the state of theory and practice. Have a look around, on the following pages you can discover the different levels of economic democracy, find the right reading for your questions and find out what answers are already out there.

We share our materials for seminars and workshops on economic and organisational democracy and if you want to go deeper you are welcome to get in touch

The macro level

At the macro level of economic democracy, the focus is on the democratisation of macroeconomic issues.

For example, through democratic planning, a fundamental promotion of public-sector co-operative ownership or an expansion of public and universal basic services.

The meso level

At the meso-level of economic democracy, the focus is on sectoral and regional issues.

For example, the promotion of democratic economic development at regional, municipal or sectoral level through regional or sector-specific economic and transformation councils, or the socialisation of economic sectors that are central to the satisfaction of basic needs, such as the housing or energy sector.

                                          The micro level

At the micro level of economic democracy, the focus is on the democratisation of organisational policy issues, which we also refer to as organisational democracy.

For example, it is about employee participation in the workplace and in work organisation, as well as in strategic orientation and product policy, right through to participation in ownership and profit or worker self-management or worker self-management.