Can organizational democracy help build a more democratic world? We believe this is a question worth asking - and exploring. Businesses are a powerful force and a potential leverage point for furthering democratic development around the world. Just imagine the potential ripple effect of an organization that operates democratically on its community!

As two-thirds of the world continues to evolve towards political democracy, it is important to consider the net effect of using organizational democracy as a key component democratic development. Consider the potential benefits an organization operating democratically could have on furthering development in its country:

Organizations that operate democratically have higher levels of innovation and job creation, contributing to overall economic development within a country.

Organizations operating democratically are transparent and open to employees, shareholders, and stakeholders, making it harder for unethical practices, such as nepotism and corruption, to occur. Less corruption means a more stable economic and business climate for further business development.

Organizations operating democratically create a work environment that develops employee skills in areas such as leadership, individual accountability, decision-making, independent thinking, conflict resolution, teamwork, communication, and financial literacy. As employees develop themselves and their sense of self-worth, they may increasingly look for ways to volunteer and engage civically as well.

Organizations operating democratically are increasingly able to adapt, respond to, and prosper from market changes. This agility strengthens their business capacity, making democratic organizations good candidates for foreign direct investment (FDI), attracting necessary capital to fuel a developing nation's growing economy.

Organizational democracy can be a powerful tool to help build thriving democratic countries around the world.