LDS Cooperative "one heart and one mind...with no poor among us"

Tom Webb of St. Mary's University (and the Masters in Management program) presented a workshop on how cooperative managers need to manage differently from other enterprises.

He began by commenting that cooperators share, in addition to the values and principles, a common view that people are basically good. Corporations are managed by people and so corporations will act as good citizens. However, unlike cooperatives, corporations must deliver a return on investment and the search for profits may cause good people to make bad decisions. However, cooperatives can also make bad decisions.

The 2008 US presidential campaign has brought a renewed interest nationally about Latter-day Saint attitudes and doctrines about politics. In recent decades Latter-day Saints have distinguished themselves as avid believers in democracy, while also going to great lengths to show their patriotism and allegiance to the US government. While a commitment to democracy is consistent with Latter-day Saint scripture, unquestioning obedience to political authority is not. Below is a brief attempt to develop a Mormon political theology, which is supportive of democracy, yet also critical of government abuses of power.

If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, is it not possible to control and regiment the masses according to our will without their knowing about it? The recent practice of propaganda has proved that it is possible, at least up to a certain point and within certain limits. – Bernays