Centre for Democratic Business

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Publications
ARTICLE
More than a century of community wealth – the history and future of Britain’s social clubs
by Jonny Gordon-Farleigh
The article discusses the history and relevance of Britain's working men's clubs, their role in shaping civil society, and the debate around their current state and potential future.
Publications
ARTICLE
Scaling up democratic ownership: Adapting the employee ownership model to build truly democratic businesses
by Kosta Juri & Tej Gonza
This article discusses the commodification of businesses and its impact on democratic sovereignty, proposing democratic ownership through models like worker-owned businesses as a solution.
Publications
ARTICLE
The Return of Ownership? How to really make the economy fairer
by Jonny Gordon-Farleigh
A brief history of policy development under New Labour, the limits of business reform, and a proposal to advocate for new policy campaigns that directly address business ownership.
Publications
ARTICLE
Can AI help democratise the economy?
by Daniel Stanley
What are the opportunities & risks of using the new wave of AI technology for economic change? Based on an event with the Institute for the Future of Work and Ada Lovelace Institute.
Publications
ARTICLE
'New Economies' and the Rebuilding of Democratic Power
by Jonny Gordon-Farleigh
To become a political force, the 'new economies' movement needs to prioritise member engagement and collective power, shifting from a model of civic privatisation to one of collective action.

Articles

Analysis and insight from Centre and partner authors, exploring issues around democratic business, ownership and economic change.

Publications

ARTICLE

More than a century of community wealth – the history and future of Britain’s social clubs

by Jonny Gordon-Farleigh

The article discusses the history and relevance of Britain's working men's clubs, their role in shaping civil society, and the debate around their current state and potential future.

Publications

ARTICLE

Scaling up democratic ownership: Adapting the employee ownership model to build truly democratic businesses

by Kosta Juri & Tej Gonza

This article discusses the commodification of businesses and its impact on democratic sovereignty, proposing democratic ownership through models like worker-owned businesses as a solution, with a focus on the UK's Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) model.

Publications

ARTICLE

The Return of Ownership? How to really make the economy fairer

by Jonny Gordon-Farleigh

A brief history of policy development under New Labour, the limits of business reform, and a proposal to advocate for new policy campaigns that directly address business ownership.

Real-life examples of democratic businesses and their impact, highlighting the achievements and challenges.

Publications

CASE STUDY

Money for Good: the rise of ethical finance

Jonny Gordon-Farleigh & Grace Crabtree

A case study that explores the rise of democratic finance in the shadow of the financial crisis, the role of social investment platforms, and efforts to transform the ownership of assets and services in the UK economy.

Publications

CASE STUDY

The Islington Model: Community Wealth Building Adapted

by Jonny Gordon-Farleigh

Islington Council has pioneered an interventionist approach, using its services, programmes, and assets to directly tackle the roots of inequality. A core focus of this approach is the transformative role of democratic ownership of local businesses and assets.

Publications

CASE STUDY

Project spotlight: Kitty's Launderette

by Grace Crabtree

Launderettes are not usually the most beloved of locations: unstaffed, faulty dryers, sticky floors, expensive cycles eating up large stacks of pound coins. But in the Anfield area of North Liverpool, there is one that is doing things differently.

More case studies

Reports

In-depth research on various aspects of democratic business ownership, from developing new policy and infrastructure to addressing unique challenges in underrepresented communities and particular regions.

Publications

REPORT

Technocratic to Democratic: Building democratic culture, skills, and partnerships

by Jonny Gordon-Farleigh

A flagship report on how policy makers, local government, and think tanks can more effectively promote and develop democratic businesses.

Publications

REPORT

Community Anchors: Preston City Council

by Stir to Action

A third sector incubator focused on training minority-led charities to stimulate cultural awareness of democratic business models in priority sectors.

Publications

REPORT

Social Business Research: Hackney Borough Council

by Stir to Action, Co-op Culture & Renaisi

An article in Coop News on our project to support the council to design the most effective ecosystem of social business support in an urban context. Full report will be published soon.

More reports

Interviews

Exploring the perspectives and experiences of experts, practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders on the challenges and opportunities for democratic business.

Publications

INTERVIEW

Where’s the Evidence?

by Phil Tulba, Chris Cowcher, Campbell McDonald & James de le Vingne

The Ubele Initiative and Plunkett Foundation highlight the need for better evidence and support for democratic business growth in underrepresented communities and rural areas. Both organizations advocate for equitable policies and support, addressing unique challenges and the disproportionate impact of the cost of living crisis in rural areas.

Publications

INTERVIEW

The Question of Scale

by James Wright, Anne Lythgoe, Susie Finlayson & Daniel Monaghan

In this interview, we speak to a range of advocates in local government, business federations, foundations, and think tanks to get their perspective on the question of scale within their efforts to create a democratic economy.

Publications

INTERVIEW

Capital Gap

by Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation (GMCVO); Joseph Rowntree Foundation; Local Trust; Power to Change & Kindred

This interview discusses the challenges faced by community businesses in accessing finance for growth and the various types of finance available, each with their own challenges. Innovative approaches and government intervention can help close the capital gap.

More interviews

The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013

Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester

info@democraticbusiness.org

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Designed and built by Stir to Action Studio

You can subscribe to our newsletter here

The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013

Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester

info@democraticbusiness.org

Designed and built by Stir to Action Studio

You can subscribe to our newsletter here

The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013

Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester

info@democraticbusiness.org

Designed and built by Stir to Action Studio

Articles

Analysis and insight from Centre and partner authors, exploring issues around democratic business, ownership and economic change.

Case studies

Real-life examples of democratic businesses and their impact, highlighting the achievements and challenges.

Reports

In-depth research on various aspects of democratic business ownership, from developing new policy and infrastructure to addressing unique challenges in underrepresented communities and particular regions.

Interviews

Exploring the perspectives and experiences of experts, practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders on the challenges and opportunities for democratic business.