Welcome to Contributionism
Contributionism is…
Capitalism with ethics.
There are many great things to be said for Capitalism. It’s a system with a proven track record when it comes to innovation and motivation. It’s also a system with an unfortunate track record when it comes to corruption and exploitation - as evidenced by countless labor movements, historical atrocities, and the current situation for America’s working class.
Unlike Socialism or Communism, which seek to overhaul the entire system, Contributionism asks “why throw the baby out with the bathwater?” It uses the best parts of Capitalism, but adds a set of tweaks to ensure that it remains ethical.
The cure for what ails us.
Regardless of politics, most of us can agree that we’re not in a great place right now. Financial hardship, layoffs, economic uncertainty, culture wars, dwindling connection... it can all feel a bit overwhelming. The good news is, these issues have their roots in the same core problem: the reckless pursuit of profits by any means necessary.
Contributionism recognizes that a certain amount of greed is part of human nature - and it harnesses this fact rather than ignoring it. Through pay ratios and profit sharing, Contributionism spreads the wealth to those who generate it, creating stronger communities, promoting financial stability, and increasing personal agency by decreasing desperation. At the same time, it rewards hard work and incentivizes innovation.
The rising tide that lifts all ships.
Contributionism isn’t simply a matter of taking money from the rich and handing it out to the poor. It’s a “trickle up” approach to economics. Its approach to pay and compensation will lead to a country of people who are happier and more motivated. This in turn leads to greater financial security, opportunity, and innovation.
Contributionism still allows hard work to return rewards, but it also gives the wealthy something they can’t simply buy: a better nation to live in.
Eminently actionable.
Contributionism isn’t an extreme, “tear it all down” philosophy. It’s something that can work within the system we already have. We can push for it through our everyday choices when it comes to where we spend our money. By voting with our wallets for Contributionist businesses, we can foster their success, and encourage other businesses to join the cause. This in turn creates more options for Contributionist consumers, and more good jobs for workers.
There are probably more options near you than you realize. As you learn more about how Contributionism works, you’ll see that many small local businesses are already informally Contributionist. Many more are close. By simply taking the time to get to know your area and favoring these businesses over mega-corporations, you’ve already taken a step towards fostering change.
Why “Contributionism?”
This system gets its name from the idea that workers’ contribution of their time and effort is valuable to their company, and that they should be fairly compensated for it.
Likewise, Contributionism believes that businesses should contribute to the welfare and quality of life of not just their employees, but of the communities in which they operate.
Great. But how does it work?
I’m sure you have questions. In fact, I hope you do. Please visit the “What,” “Why,” and “How,” pages to learn more.
Alternatively, for a full, in-depth look at the philosophy behind Contributionism, how it works, and why it will help, read “The Contributionist Compromise,” available digitally on this site or physically from retailers like Barnes & Noble.
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Just have some questions? Fill out some info and we will be in touch ASAP.