June 27, 2011 Issue

Cover art by: Cover design by Milton Glaser Incorporated

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Feature

Reimagining Capitalism: Bold Ideas for a New Economy

True economic recovery will require creative solutions to deeply rooted problems. Our first great task is to change the way we talk about what’s possible.
William Greider
The Rise of Benefit Corporations

A growing number of states are introducing laws that permit companies to pursue social missions without fear of shareholder litigation.
Jamie Raskin
To Guarantee Corporate Responsibility, Open the Boardroom Door

The best way to ensure corporate accountability is to save a seat on every board for an independent watchdog.
William Lerach
Cut Wall Street Down to Size With a Financial Speculation Tax

A tax on the rapid-fire trades that dominate financial markets would discourage reckless behavior and raise serious funds for public use.
Sarah Anderson
The Government Nudge: A Public Role in the Private Sector

The government has the power to spur innovation and reshape the economy—but it must be willing to flex its muscle.
Robert Weissman
Employee Ownership: The Road to Shared Prosperity

Employee ownership plans carve a path toward what could be called responsible capitalism.
Christopher Mackin
In Oregon, a Grassroots Campaign for a State Bank

Legislation proposing a publicly owned state bank, the underpinning of a truly local economy, stands a good chance of passing in this session.
Barbara Dudley
Reforming Limited Liability Law

It’s time to recognize limited liability for what it is: a subsidy for corporations paid by those hurt by malfeasance.
Kent Greenfield
The Job Guarantee: A Government Plan for Full Employment

There is no economic demand more urgent than putting Americans back to work. The government can do this by creating an “employer of last resort” program.
L. Randall Wray
Inclusive Capitalism: Improving Benefits and Performance With Smarter Incentive Pay Plans

Congress should allow tax deductions for incentive pay schemes only if they distribute the rewards to the majority of workers.
Joseph Blasi , Douglas Kruse and Richard B. Freeman
A Richer Shade of Green: The Wisdom of Sustainable Investment Funds

Investors who seek out companies that are meeting the long-term challenge of sustainability will have a strategic advantage.
Leslie Christian
Performance-Related Compensation for Corporate Executives

Hotshot CEOs should be required to play by the same rules as small business owners, who have a personal stake in the companies they run.
Vincent A. Panvini Jr.
Protecting Retirement Funds From Wall Street Speculation

Pension savings and 401(k) plans are supposed to guarantee workers a comfortable retirement, not provide fodder for financial managers.
Ray Carey
The End of Capitalism and the Wellsprings of Radical Hope

Capitalism in any form compels us to be greedy, callous and petty. Instead of reinventing it, we should replace it.
Eugene McCarraher

Editorial

Obama: You’re Your Only Hope

It’s too late for Obama to turn around the economy. But to win re-election, he better expose what Republican plans to cut spending will really do.
The Editors
The Safe Bet: Renewables

Is dirty energy the only way to meet the huge demands of the modern world? New numbers suggest renewables could do the job—and more.
Kumi Naidoo
Noted.

Dana Goldstein on the New York Times’s new executive editor, Liliana Segura on fairer sentencing and John Nichols on paid sick days
Various Contributors
Spain’s ‘Indignados’ Take the Square

Faced with dismal job prospects and enraged at a new internet piracy law, Spanish youth have occupied Madrid’s La Puerta del Sol. But with the political right ascendant, where will their protests lead?
Andy Robinson
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Column

Libya: An Old-Fashioned Colonial Smash-and-Grab

There is ferocious repression across the Middle East. Why are the UN’s sights trained only on Libya?
Alexander Cockburn
A Conversation With Saudi Women’s Rights Campaigner Wajeha al-Huwaider

The internationally renowned activist talks to Katha Pollitt about women and driving in Saudi Arabia, a feminist Islam, and the chances for a “Saudi Spring.”
Katha Pollitt
Chris Lee (R-NY) and Anthony Weiner (D-NY)

Calvin Trillin

Books & the Arts

Little Churches Everywhere: California’s Evangelical Conservatism

As contradictory as the gospel truths of California’s digerati are the dogmas of West Coast evangelicalism, a melding of Jefferson and Jesus.
Chris Lehmann
A Test of Loyalties: The Exiles of the American Revolution

Between a fifth and a third of the white population remained loyal to Britain in 1776. Why?
Nicholas Guyatt
Whimbrel

Sidney Wade
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Crossword

Puzzle No. 3198

Joshua Kosman and Henri Picciotto

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June 27, 2011 Issue

Feature

True economic recovery will require creative solutions to deeply rooted problems. Our first great task is to change the way we talk about what’s possible.

A growing number of states are introducing laws that permit companies to pursue social missions without fear of shareholder litigation.

The best way to ensure corporate accountability is to save a seat on every board for an independent watchdog.

A tax on the rapid-fire trades that dominate financial markets would discourage reckless behavior and raise serious funds for public use.

The government has the power to spur innovation and reshape the economy—but it must be willing to flex its muscle.

Employee ownership plans carve a path toward what could be called responsible capitalism.

Legislation proposing a publicly owned state bank, the underpinning of a truly local economy, stands a good chance of passing in this session.

It’s time to recognize limited liability for what it is: a subsidy for corporations paid by those hurt by malfeasance.

There is no economic demand more urgent than putting Americans back to work. The government can do this by creating an “employer of last resort” program.

Congress should allow tax deductions for incentive pay schemes only if they distribute the rewards to the majority of workers.

Investors who seek out companies that are meeting the long-term challenge of sustainability will have a strategic advantage.

Hotshot CEOs should be required to play by the same rules as small business owners, who have a personal stake in the companies they run.

Pension savings and 401(k) plans are supposed to guarantee workers a comfortable retirement, not provide fodder for financial managers.

Capitalism in any form compels us to be greedy, callous and petty. Instead of reinventing it, we should replace it.

Editorial

It’s too late for Obama to turn around the economy. But to win re-election, he better expose what Republican plans to cut spending will really do.

Is dirty energy the only way to meet the huge demands of the modern world? New numbers suggest renewables could do the job—and more.

Dana Goldstein on the New York Times’s new executive editor, Liliana Segura on fairer sentencing and John Nichols on paid sick days

Faced with dismal job prospects and enraged at a new internet piracy law, Spanish youth have occupied Madrid’s La Puerta del Sol. But with the political right ascendant, where will their protests lead?

GET UNLIMITED DIGITAL ACCESS FOR LESS THAN $3 A MONTH!

Column

There is ferocious repression across the Middle East. Why are the UN’s sights trained only on Libya?

The internationally renowned activist talks to Katha Pollitt about women and driving in Saudi Arabia, a feminist Islam, and the chances for a “Saudi Spring.”

Books & the Arts

As contradictory as the gospel truths of California’s digerati are the dogmas of West Coast evangelicalism, a melding of Jefferson and Jesus.

Between a fifth and a third of the white population remained loyal to Britain in 1776. Why?

The stakes are higher now than ever. Get The Nation in your inbox.

Letters

Crossword