cture, for a
new society, will be built upon an answer to the question: "How is work
done now?" This method of approach takes the basic economic activities
of the masses of the people for granted and seeks to build them into a
sounder type of super-organization than that now existing.

2. _The economic unit, whatever its size and function, must be
sufficiently homogeneous and coherent so that it will retain its
unity even in the face of severe stresses and strains._ That is, it
must be in a state of relatively stable equilibrium.

3. _The economic unit must be autonomous--self-governing,
self-motivating, and in a sense, self-sufficing._

4. _The organization and management of the unit must make possible an
efficiency in production that will supply human needs and furnish the
means of providing some comforts for the population._

5. _Units must be so organized that they will work effectively with
other units in the same industry and in related industries._

Whether plans are being made for the rebuilding of existing economic
institutions or for the establishment of new ones, these general rules
hold good. They have as their objective, a workable social system that
will turn the wealth of nature's storehouse into usable forms, and that
will procure the distribution of the good things of life, in an
equitable manner, among the groups that have assisted in their
production.

8. _Classes of Economic Units_

Those who are concerned with the establishment of a working basis for
economic society must bear constantly in mind the purpose of economic
organization--to provide livelihood on the most effective possible
terms. The economic system is not called on to perform any other
function.

Economic function would seem to be most effectively aided by some
organization of the economic units that would provide a structurally
sound skeleton for the whole economic mechanism. The needs of particular
localities, the requirements of larger groups within one industry, the
economic relations of continental areas, and finally the world
organization of industries must be provided for. In order to meet this
situation, it would seem desirable to think in terms of several
different grades or classes of economic units. As a working basis, four
are suggested:

1. _The local unit, which would be some particular phase of the
economic process that normally functions as a whole._

This unit is