We recently joined the Common Good Economy movement (econgood.org) by becoming a member of the Common Good Economy Bavaria e.V. (bayern.econgood.org)! From now on, we will, among other things, promote the regional visibility of this growing international movement, which, based on the question “How do we want to live?”, proclaims a development-oriented, ethical economic model:
An economic model that makes successful relationships with people and nature the primary goal of business and encourages companies of all legal forms and sizes to regularly compile and publish a so-called Common Good Balance Sheet. This balance sheet makes it clear for the first time to what extent companies live democratic values (such as human dignity, solidarity and justice, ecological sustainability, transparency, and co-decision-making) within their own companies and in their business relationships, thus ultimately fulfilling Article 151 (1) of the Bavarian Constitution: “All economic activity serves the common good.”
Assuming that all companies were to prepare a common good balance sheet every year in addition to their financial balance sheet, the results of which (a score of -3600 to 1000 points) would be linked to incentives such as tax rebates for particularly ethical companies – how would this impact product/service quality, the affordability of ethical products and services, nature, and our collective coexistence?
We expect a very positive impact, which is why we want to join the ranks of Bavarian companies that already prepare common good balance sheets this year. Even without legal relief, companies with common good balance sheets experience positive effects, whether in the form of improved collaboration with suppliers, manufacturers, and financiers or increased customer and employee satisfaction.
