Organizations and Websites

 

 

Advertising and Commercialism

 

Adbusters — A global network of creative "culture jammers" working to change the ways in which information flows, corporations wield power, and meaning is produced in our societies (Vancouver, Canada)

 

Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood — A national organization devoted to the right of parents to raise their children free from the influence of corporate marketing and other forms of commercial exploitation (Boston, MA)

 

Commercial Alert — A non-profit group that fights immersive advertising and other forms of commercialism, and seeks to prevent them from subverting families, communities, the environment, and democracy (Washington, DC)

 

 — Consumer Reports blog that protects and empowers consumers by informing them about corporate rip-offs, under-handed tactics, and other abuses (Yonkers, NY)

 

Public Ad Campaign — Uses outdoor media venues for public art, and chronicles the activities of artists intent on challenging public/private relationships, as well as other contemporary issues in outdoor advertising and public space.

 

 

Democracy

 

Alliance for Democracy — A progressive, populist movement to end the corporate domination of the economy, government, culture, media, and the environment, and promote true democracy and a just, sustainable, and equitable society (Waltham, MA)

 

— Seeks to eliminate the ability of corporations to fund election campaigns, financially influence political parties, and otherwise determine public policy through monetary donations (Ft. Collins, Colorado)

 

Democracy is for People — A project of Public Citizen seeking a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United v FEC case, and interim measures such as public financing of Congressional elections (Washington, DC)

 

Free Speech for People — Advances new jurisprudence on money in politics and the misuse of the U.S. Constitution in order to make corporations responsible and accountable to the public (Austin, TX)

 

Project on Corporations, Law, and Democracy — Works to stop corporate harms through re-thinking organizing strategies, exercising democratic authority at the local level, and stripping fundamental powers such as free speech and due process from corporations (South Yarmouth, MA)

 

Reclaim Democracy — Works to create a representative democracy in which actively participating citizens make conscious choices about the role corporations should play in our society (Bozeman, MT)

 

Ultimate Civics — A popular movement to pass a constitutional amendment to reinstate the primacy of human rights over corporate rights (Berkeley, CA)

 

 

Financial Reform

 

Americans for Financial Reform — A coalition of more than 200 consumer, civil rights, investor, civic, community, labor, religious, and business groups working toward a strong, stable, and ethical financial system that serves the economy and nation as a whole (Washington, DC)

 

Association for the Taxation of financial Transactions and Aid to Citizens (ATTAC) — A founding member of the "alter-globalization" movement that fights for the regulation of financial markets, closure of tax havens, cancelation of unfair debt, fair trade, and limits to free trade and capital flows (Paris, France)

 

Better Markets — Promotes and protects the public interest in genuine financial reform and transparency, accountability, and strong oversight in capital and commodity markets (Washington, DC)

 

Capital Institute — Works to identify, examine, initiate, and illuminate the qualities of a financial system that will promote and support prosperity through a socially and ecologically resilient economy (Greenwich, CT)

 

Center for Responsible Lending — Works to eliminate predatory lending and other abusive financial practices, and create economic opportunity in under-served communities through responsible loans and financial services (Durham, NC)

 

Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency Coalition — A campaign to achieve greater financial accountability and transparency within financial institutions, corporations, and governments (Washington, DC)

 

Global Financial Integrity — Promotes national and multilateral policies and agreements intended to curtail the exodus of corporate and private money into off-shore tax havens and secret accounts to shield it from taxation, with the aid and connivance of banks (Washington, DC)

 

International Movement for Monetary Reform — A global coalition of non-profit campaigns working to democratize the monetary system so that it works for society, rather than just the financial sector.

 

New Rules for Global Finance Coalition — A non-governmental organization that seeks to promote stable global financial systems that reduce poverty and inequality (Washington, DC)

 

Public Banking Institute — A non-profit research and advisory organization dedicated to exploring and disseminating information on the utility of publicly-owned banks, and facilitating their implementation (Sonoma, CA)

 

Responsible Endowments Coalition — A national network that educates and empowers students, faculty, and alumni to defend human rights and the environment through collective action to make universities accountable to global stakeholders by investing responsibly (Brooklyn, NY)

 

 

Food and Agriculture

 

Food Democracy Now — A community of grassroots activists dedicated to building a sustainable food system that protects the natural environment, sustains farmers, and nourishes families (Clear Lake, Iowa)

 

GM Watch — Seeks to counter the enormous corporate political power and propaganda of the biotech / genetically modified (GM) food and crops industry and its supporters through a Powerbase portal, Ban GM Food campaign, various social media, and other outreach and campaigning activities (Norwich, UK)

 

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy — Works with organizations around the world to analyze how global trade agreements impact domestic farm and food policies, and advocates for fair trade policies that promote strong health, labor, human rights, and environmental standards, and democratic institutions (Minneapolis, MN)

 

Slow Food International — An international grassroots membership organization that promotes healthy, sustainable, and community-based food production, and opposes the unrestrained power of the food industry multinationals and industrial agriculture (Cuneo, Italy)

 

Slow Money — A national network of local chapters seeking to enhance food security, safety, and access; improve nutrition and health; promote cultural, ecological, and economic diversity; and accelerate the transition from an economy based on extraction and consumption to one based on preservation and restoration (Brookline, MA)

 

 

General Anti-Corporate

 

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre — Tracks the social and environmental impacts of more than 5,000 companies operating in over 180 countries from a international human rights perspective, including discrimination, the environment, poverty, labor, health and safety, security, and trade (London, UK)

 

Center for Corporate Policy — A non-profit public interest organization working to curb corporate abuses and make corporations publicly accountable (Washington, DC)

 

Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations — An independent, non-profit research and networking organization that investigates multinational corporations and the consequences of their activities for people and the environment around the world (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

 

Corporate Accountability International — Campaigns to challenge corporate abuse and demand direct corporate accountability to public interests (Boston, MA)

 

Corporate Action Network — A hub that supports work to expose, prosecute, and end corporate abuse in order to restore balance to our economy and create shared prosperity and a just society (Washington, DC)

 

 — Seeks to bring corporations under the control of citizens, and founder of the Business Ethics Network, the largest network of anti-corporate campaigns in North America (San Francisco, CA)

 

Corporate Research Project — A non-profit center designed to aid community, environmental, and labor organizations in researching and analyzing companies and industries (Washington, DC)

 

Corporate Responsibility (CORE) Coalition — An alliance of non-profits organizations, trade unions, and companies advocating visionary proposals for British companies to respect for the rights of workers, local communities and the environment throughout their operations (London, UK)

 

Corporate Rule — Corporate Watch's web-based project featuring research into the relationships between corporations and various social, economic, and political structures and institutions (London, UK)

 

Corporate Watch — A professional research and campaigning organization that studies, reports on, and fights against corporate crime and the nature and mechanisms of corporate power, both economic and political (London, UK)

 

Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility — A coalition of religious organizations seeking global justice and sustainability by integrating social values into corporate and investor actions (New York, NY)

 

Polaris Institute — Works with citizen movements to develop strategies and tactics to challenge corporate power driving public policy on economic, social, and environmental issues (Ottawa, Canada)

 

Public Citizen — Founded by Ralph Nader to defend democracy from corporate power and greed, and advocate for a healthier and more equitable world (Washington, DC)

 

The Public Eye — An annual award for the worst corporate crimes of the previous year, announced to coincide with the so-called "World Economic Forum" in Davos, Switzerland (Bern, Switzerland)

 

Sum of Us — A global movement that uses public pressure campaigns to demand that governments answer to citizens instead of corporations; companies treat their workers and produce their products in a safe, ethical, and sustainable way; communities control their local environment and natural resources; and that business models put people and the planet ahead of profits.

 

The Yes Men — Political activists who draw attention to issues of corporate power by representing themselves to the media, corporations, and international institutions as corporate or government officials  (New York, NY)

 

 

Human Rights and Corporations

 

International Corporate Accountability Roundtable — A coalition of human rights, environmental, labor, and development organizations that creates, promotes, and defends legal frameworks to ensure corporations respect human rights in their global operations.

 

 

 

Industry-Specific

 

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics — A coalition of women's, public health, labor, environmental health, and consumer-rights organizations seeking to protect the health of consumers and workers by securing the corporate, regulatory, and legislative reforms necessary to eliminate dangerous chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products (SF Bay area)

 

Corporations and Health Watch — Provides activists, researchers, health professionals, policymakers, and others with information and resources so they can act to change corporate practices that harm public health (New York, NY)

 

Earthworks — A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the impacts of irresponsible mineral and energy development while seeking sustainable solutions (Washington, DC)

 

Fairphone — A social enterprise started in 2010 to raise awareness about conflict minerals and the sourcing, production, distribution, and recycling of electronics that has evolved into a project to create a "sustainable" smartphone (Amsterdam, Holland)

 

 — Consumer Watchdog's project to educate the public and opinion leaders about the need for greater online privacy, curtail Google’s monopolistic power and efforts to dominate the Internet and information, and hold it accountable for anti-social and anti-competitive business practices.

 

Making Change at Walmart — A coalition of Walmart workers, union members, small business owners, religious leaders, community organizations, women’s advocacy groups, elected officials, and ordinary citizens who believe that changing Walmart is vital to rebuilding our economy and strengthening working families (Washington, DC)

 

Oil Change International — Dedicated to exposing the true costs of fossil fuels, and to identifying and overcoming barriers to the inevitable transition to clean energy (Washington, DC)

 

Walmart Watch — Seeks to hold the largest corporation in the United States fully accountable for its impact on America's communities, workforce, retail sector, environment, and American economy (Washington, DC)

 

 

Journalism

 

Corporate Crime Blotter — CounterCorp's daily litany of accusations, investigations, indictments, lawsuits, settlements, and convictions for breaking the law. Also available as a Twitter feed (San Francisco, CA)
 

Corporate Crime Reporter — A long-standing weekly legal newsletter edited by Russel Mokhiber that covers white-collar crime and related issues (Washington, DC)

 

Corporation Watch — CounterCorp blog that seeks to shine a spotlight on the daily litany of reports in both the mainstream and alternative media about the nature and effects of corporate power and influence, crime and abuse, and culture and pathology (San Francisco, CA)

 

Dirt Diggers Digest — A Corporate Research Project blog edited by Phil Mattera that chronicles corporate misbehavior and how to research it, trends in financial disclosure, and new sources of information (Washington, DC)

 

FairWarning — A non-profit public-interest website that provides information and investigative journalism on issues of health, safety, reckless corporate conduct, and lax government oversight (Los Angeles, CA)

 

Inter Press Service — An international news agency dedicated to raising the voices of the global South and civil society on issues of economic development, corporate globalization, human rights, and the environment (Rome, Italy)

 

Left Business Observer — An 8-page monthly newsletter on economics and politics in the U.S. and the world at large, edited by Doug Henwood (Brooklyn, NY)
 

Pro Publica — An independent, non-profit news organization that conducts investigative journalism in the public interest, including regular stories on corporate crime, abuse, and malfeasance (New York, NY)

 

Wikileaks — An international transparency advocacy organization that publishes submissions of secret and classified information from anonymous sources, including extensive evidence of corporate crimes and abuse.

 

 

Labor

 

Behind the Label — A multimedia news website covering the stories of people fighting for fundamental human and labor rights against the goliath global clothing industry (New York, NY)

 

Center for Labor Research and Education — Conducts research, provides information, and develops innovative policy perspectives and programs on issues related to labor and employment for students, scholars, unions, employers, policymakers, and the public (University of California at Berkeley)

 

Center for the Study of Work, Labor, and Democracy — An interdisciplinary research and education initiative that aims to expand public understanding of issues and ideas that illuminate the character of American capitalism and the working class that sustains it (University of California at Santa Barbara)

 

China Labor Watch — An independent non-profit organization that promotes the fair redistribution of wealth under globalization through in-depth investigative reports on the Chinese factories that make products for large U.S. companies, educating the international community on supply-chain labor issues, and political pressure on corporations to improve conditions for workers (New York, NY)

 

Clean Clothes Campaign — dedicated to improving working conditions and supporting the empowerment of workers in the global garment and sportswear industries (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

 

Institute for Global Labor and Human Rights — Investigates and exposes abuses of human and workers rights by multinational corporations in less-industrialized countries, supports workers in asserting their fundamental rights, and educates consumers about their role in the global economy (Pittsburgh, PA)

 

International Labor Rights Forum — Dedicated to achieving just and humane treatment for workers worldwide by promoting the enforcement of labor rights through public education and mobilization, research, litigation, legislation, and collaboration with labor, government, and business groups (Washington, DC)

 

National Council for Occupational Safety and Health — A federation of state and local coalitions of labor unions, health and technical professionals, and others interested in promoting and advocating for worker health and safety (Raleigh, NC and Los Angeles, CA)

 

Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior — Brings concerned students, scholars, labor activists, and consumers together to monitor corporate behavior, advocate for workers’ rights, and provide in-factory training to workers in South China (Hong Kong, China)

 

United Students Against Sweatshops — A national network of student groups working to end sweatshops and other labor abuses, particularly for campus and garment workers who make licensed collegiate apparel (Washington, DC)

 

Workers Independent News — Focuses on bringing the issues, concerns, and voices of workers, their families, communities, and organizations to the widest possible audience via terrestrial radio, Internet streaming, podcasts, websites, and print publications (Madison, WI)

 

Workers Rights Consortium — An alliance of over 175 college and university affiliates that conducts investigations and issues reports on working conditions in factories around the globe, to protect the rights of workers who make apparel and other products (Washington, DC)
 

 

Law and Regulation

 

ALEC Exposed — An archive of more than 800 "model" legislative bills secretly crafted and voted on by the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a behind-closed-doors collaboration between Big Business and conservative state politicians to radically re-structure state laws (Madison, WI)

 

American Antitrust Institute — Seeks to increase the role of competition, assure that competition works in the interests of consumers, and challenge abuses of concentrated economic power in the American and world economies (Washington, DC)

Center on Corporations, Law & Society — A project of the Seattle University School of Law that focuses on the nature of the modern corporation and its impact on individuals and society (Seattle, WA)
 

Center for Justice and Democracy — A national consumer organization dedicated to protecting citizen's access to independent civil courts for redress against misconduct by big corporations and other powerful institutions and special interests, which is threatened by so-called “tort reform” (New York, NY)

 

Coalition for Sensible Safeguards — An alliance of concerned citizens and consumer, small-business, labor, scientific, good-government, health, environmental, and public-interest groups that view government regulations as an important means of maintaining quality of life and a broadly beneficial economy (Washington, DC)

 

Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund — Helps local groups and municipalities create laws that assert their right to self-governance, and the subordination of corporate privileges to community interests (Chambersburg, PA)

 

EarthRights International — Specializes in fact-finding, legal actions at the forefront of the movement to hold corporations accountable for their human rights, labor, and environmental practices (Washington, DC)

 

National Consumer Law Center — Since 1969, the NCLC has used its expertise in consumer law and energy policy to work for consumer justice and economic security for low-income, older adults, and other disadvantaged people in the U.S. (Boston, MA)

 

Taxpayers Against Fraud — A non-profit public-interest organization that supports the use of so-called "whistleblower" laws to combat corporate fraud against the government, and protect public resources through public-private partnerships between whistleblowers, their attorneys, and government regulators and prosecutors (Washington, DC)

 

UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations — Promotes the dissemination and implementation of the UN's Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and provides advice at the national, regional, and international levels for enhancing access to effective remedies for those whose human rights are affected by corporate activities (Geneva, Switzerland)

 

 

Lobbying and Influence

 

Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation (ALTER-EU) — A coalition of 200 European civil-society organizations, trade unions, academics, and public affairs groups concerned with the increasing influence of corporate lobbyists on the European Union political agenda (Brussels, Belgium) 

 

Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) — A research and campaign group working to expose and challenge the privileged access and influence that corporations and their lobbyists enjoy in European Union policymaking (Brussels, Belgium)

 

Integrity in Science — Combats corporate influence on science and science-based public policy by monitoring federal advisory committees, scientific literature, and the media for undisclosed conflicts of interest; encouraging strong disclosure policies; publishing the weekly Integrity in Science Watch e-newsletter, and maintaining a database of scientists' ties to industry (Washington, DC)

 

PR Watch — A non-profit investigative reporting group whose information and analysis focuses on exposing and countering spin, public relations (PR) campaigns, and other propaganda from corporations, industries, and government agencies (Madison, WI)

 

Shut the Chamber — A campaign to educate and organize communities across the country to fight the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by exposing its direct role in advancing undemocratic and socially destructive public policies, and coordinating a national campaign to urge small businesses to pull out of the Chamber (Madison, WI)

 

U.S. Chamber Watch — Promotes transparency and accountability in American politics by shedding light on the funding and activities of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce — the nation's largest private-interest lobby — and challenging its misrepresentations, distortions of fact, and anonymous funders (Washington, DC)

 

 

New Economy

 

Business Alliance for Local Living Economies — Works to create and strengthen networks of independent, locally owned, and sustainable businesses that meet the needs of their workers and communities, and support fair and equitable democratic societies (Bellingham, WA)

 

Center for the Advancement of the Steady-State Economy — Educates citizens, organizations, and policymakers on the conflict between continuous economic growth and environmental protection, economic sustainability, and international stability (Arlington, VA)

 

Center for Cooperatives — Pursues a research, educational, and outreach agenda encompassing all aspects of the cooperative business model — including development, finance, structure, and governance — across multiple business and social sectors (University of Wisconsin at Madison)

 

Find.Coop — A comprehensive, cooperatively managed public database of co-ops and other economic entities and initiatives working toward an ethical solidarity economy in North America.

 

Independent We Stand — A movement of independently-owned local businesses across the U.S. dedicated to educating their communities about the importance and the benefits of 'buying local' (Virginia Beach, VA)

 

Institute for Local Self-Reliance — Promotes innovative strategies, catalytic policies, and working models to support equitable and environmentally sustainable community development (Minneapolis, MN)

 

It's Our Economy —  Dedicated to changing the dynamic of our current economy, which is designed for the wealthiest among us, to one built on principles of equity, cooperation, and sustainability (Washington, DC)

 

Main Street Alliance — A national network of state-based small business coalitions that helps small business owners to promote public policies that are good for their businesses, employees, and the communities they serve (Seattle, WA)

 

New Economy Working Group — A virtual policy "think tank" working to re-frame orthodox economics to address the financial, social, and environmental imperatives of the 21st Century (Bainbridge Island, WA)

 

Post-Growth Institute — An international network of people tackling the myriad social, political, and environmental problems caused by the widely held belief in perpetual and unsustainable economic growth, and exploring and promoting alternatives such as a "steady-state" economy (Sydney, Australia)

 

Strike Debt — Arose from a coalition of Occupy Wall Street groups looking to build popular resistance and alternatives to all forms of debt imposed by banks, and an economy where we owe debts to friends, families, and communities — not the 1%. We are not a loan! (New York, NY)

 

Sustainable Economies Law Center — Facilitates the growth of sustainable, localized, and just economies through education, legal research, and advocacy to support practices such as barter, cooperatives, community-supported enterprises, sharing, local currencies, eco-villages, urban agriculture, and local investing (Oakland, CA)

 

U.S. Federation of Workers Cooperatives — A national grassroots membership organization that supports the growth and development of worker cooperatives, democratic workplaces, and educational outreach to the public through conferences and other events, resource referrals, and networking and training opportunities.

 

U.S. Solidarity Economy Network — Works to build an equitable, pluralistic, and mutually beneficial economy that recognizes the primacy of social welfare, democracy, and sustainability over profits and the unfettered rule of the market (Amherst, MA)

 

 

Privatization and the Public Commons

 

Center for the Study of the Public Domain — Promotes research and scholarship on the public domain's contributions to speech, culture, science, and innovation; encourages debate about the need for balance in "intellectual property"; and translates academic research into public policy solutions (Duke University, NC)

 

In the Public Interest — A comprehensive source of information on privatization and responsible contracting for citizens, public officials, advocacy groups, and researchers to ensure that public contracts with private entities serve the public interest over the long term (Washington, DC)

 

On the Commons — A strategy center founded in 2001 that seeks to shift away from our market-based system through new, collaborative ways of working and foster a commons-based society (Minneapolis, MN)

 

Owners' Rights Initiative — An informal alliance of businesses, trade associations, and non-profit organizations that fights over-reaching corporate copyright claims by promoting the fundamental premise that if you buy something, you own it, and have the right to lend, sell, or give it away (Washington, DC)

 

Public Patent Foundation — A not-for-profit legal services organization at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law whose mission is to represent the public interest in the patent system to avoid the negative effects that over-patenting, unmerited patenting and excessive patent rights can have on society (New York, NY)

Question Copyright — Dedicated to highlighting the restrictive effects of distribution monopolies, re-framing the way the public thinks about notions of ownership and control, and helping artists and their allies realize the potential of open distribution.

 

 

Real-World Economics
 

Center for Popular Economics — A non-profit collective of political economists who examine the causes of financial inequality and offer tools and resources for people to develop their own economic analyses, progressive economic analysis for activists and educators organizing for social change, and opportunities for economists to engage with and learn from activists (Amherst, MA)

 

Center on Capitalism and Society — Examines the misconceptions of orthodox economics that not only fail to explain but actively distort how we understand history, make policy, and view capitalism (Columbia University, NY)
 

Dollars & Sense — A bi-monthly magazine of economic news, analysis, and critiques of the mainstream media's coverage of the economy (Boston, MA)
 

 — Provides fresh insights and thinking to challenge current outdated and inadequate economic theories and models, and support the emergence of innovative and ethical economic strategies, paradigms, and practices (New York, NY)
 

International Forum on Globalization — A research and educational institution that provides critical analysis of the cultural, social, political, and environmental impacts of economic globalization (San Francisco, CA)

 

International Student Initiative for Pluralism in Economics — A collaboration of 65 associations of economics students from 30 countries seeking more open, diverse, and pluralist economics curricula

 

New Economics Foundation — An independent "think-and-do tank" that promotes real economic well-being through innovative solutions that challenge mainstream thinking on economic, environment, and social issues (London, UK)
 

New Economics Institute — Helping people to envision a new economics and economy that are designed to enhance human well-being and ecological health (Great Barrington, MA)

 

Re-Thinking Capitalism — Aspires to create conceptual and empirical tools of economic practice and regulation, both locally and globally, that give capitalism a future that may diverge from its past (University of California at Santa Cruz)

 

Toxic Textbooks — A movement to encourage schools and universities to use economics textbooks that accurately describe and honestly engage with the real world (London, UK)

 

 

Subsidies and Tax Breaks
 

EarthTrack — Works to develop accurate and comprehensive information on government interventions — ranging from tax breaks, below-market loans or insurance, and loan guarantees to direct grants, regulatory exemptions, and subsidies — that harm the environment, with a primary focus on energy markets (Cambridge, MA)

 

Too Much — A weekly newsletter edited by Sam Pizzigati about the economic distortions and inequality that result from the symbiosis between corporate excess and government tax policies, hosted by the Institute for Policy Studies (Washington, DC)

 

U.S. Uncut — A "horizontal" movement to demand an end to the corporate tax avoidance, inspired by a somewhat similar "anti-austerity" effort in Britain called UK Uncut (Your town, U$A)
 

Wal-Mart Subsidy Watch — Tracks the various forms of government welfare that are provided to the world's largest and most-profitable retailer (Washington, DC)

 

 

This page is updated on an ongoing basis. To suggest additional resources, contact the webmaster.

Last updated 3/18/15