An economy that works for everyone
Capitalism is an international economic system that produces, maintains and increases poverty and inequality. The extent to which Amsterdam can do something about it is limited. Still, BIJ1 as a city wants to do everything to fight capitalism and develop local economic alternatives.
BIJ1 is advocating for an eco-socialist local economy. This is a circular economy that is organised around sustainability and solidarity as much as possible, and in which public cooperation replaces the role of the market. The power of big companies must be reduced, and more room must be given to cooperatives and local, social and sustainable enterprises.
Amsterdam BIJ1 puts people, animals and nature in the centre of our economy. Against capitalism and for a socialist future, that is why Amsterdam BIJ1 fights for this policy:
- There is no room in Amsterdam for more multinationals, industry, big distribution centres and data centres. All subsidies to attract multinationals to the city will be stopped. Established companies are encouraged to become more sustainable and to reward their employees fairly. Arms companies and letterbox companies are pushed out.
- The settlement policy will be geared towards combating hyper-capitalistic and polluting companies, tax evaders, companies that violate human rights, and large retail chains.
- No services are provided to or cooperation with companies that act in contrast to the OECD guidelines and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
- The local economy must be made more accessible and safe for social and sustainable businesses.
- The municipality strives for as much design and production outside capitalism as possible. Open source production and peer design are stimulated.
- Amsterdam must set up a municipal bank according to a cooperative model. All Amsterdammers are owners and the bank only invests in the social, local economy and neighbourhood initiatives.
- The municipality will invest in a cooperative incubator that will guide neighbourhood collectives to become cooperatives.
- The municipality will provide small loans to residents who want to start a business in the districts Nieuw-West, Noord and Zuidoost.
- The municipality is investigating the possibilities for a neighbourhood coin. A neighbourhood coin would prevent value leakage to large companies and give control of money back to Amsterdam residents.
- Wherever possible, the municipality stimulates the democratisation of the economy, for example by encouraging self-management by employees within companies.
- The municipality must experiment with new public-collective forms of investment and enterprise, and support similar existing collaborations. This will create and maintain social value in the local economy.
- The port must become drastically greener and fossil-free by 2025.