The Sane Society published in 1955- author: Erich Fromm
Erich Fromm (1900 - 1980) German-American social psychologist, psychoanalyst, sociologist, humanistic
philosopher, and democratic socialist & author of over several dozen books.
Erich Fromm migrated to the United States in 1934 and found employment as a lecturer at: the International
Institute for Social Research; Columbia University and the American Institute of Psychoanalysis. He became a faculty
member at Bennington College & at the William Alanson White Institute for Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis and Psychology.
Fromm also lectured at the New School for Social Research and was a Terry Lecturer at Yale University. He held
professorships at Michigan State University; and was an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at New York University. He
also worked for a think tank in New Mexico 1962 - 74. The consummation of Fromm's social & political philosophy is
apparent in his 1955 book “The Sane Society”, which advocated in favor of a humanistic & democratic socialism.
Fromm explains why & how capitalism has influenced modern Western society's mental health in an unhealthy
way; with its unrelenting emphasis on competition & consumerism inducing, alienation and a "pathology of normalcy".
Fromm proposes that a "sane society" would prioritize human well-being and meaningful relationships over material
accumulation and social conformity. And he suggests that a transformation of economic, political, and cultural spheres is
necessary to achieve a more communitarian system; a system with a focus on social solidarity and productive, meaningful
work that comes about with the implementation of co-management & worker participation along with worker education.
Worker cooperatives are businesses owned and democratically controlled by their employees. This means workers
have a say in how the business is run and share in the business profits and losses. Worker co-ops are distinct from regular
businesses where ownership / control are held by external investors or a group of individuals. Key elements of Worker
Cooperatives include: democratic ownership and control where workers (members) have equal say in the business, often
through a "one member, one vote" system. Economic participation, where workers share in the profits and losses of the
cooperative. Worker co-ops have Autonomy and Independence and operate independent & free from outside control. The
co-ops collaborate with other cooperatives while striving to help their members and the wider community. Worker co-ops
are formed from scratch or by converting an existing business. Workers typically become members after a probationary
period and by purchasing a membership share. All workers participate in decision-making through meetings, committees
or other democratic structures. And profits are typically distributed to workers based on their labor contribution and their
share ownership. The co-ops increase worker satisfaction and motivation because the workers have a say in the business;
and co-ops usually offer better wages and benefits than regular businesses; along with greater job stability. Also profits
tend to stay within a local community contributing to economic development; and provide opportunity for workers
(especially in underserved communities) to accumulate financial security.
There are 751 worker co-ops in the U.S. (report by Democracy at Work Institute, Nov. 2024) plus several hundred
smaller worker co-ops not counted in the last census. Worker co-ops in New York = 110 firms, in California = 99 firms,
in Puerto Rico = 57 firms, Massachusetts = 53 firms, Washington = 26 firms, Wisconsin = 25 firms. There are numerous
other smaller worker co-ops not reported in the census.
