Financial History Issue 123 (Fall 2017) | Page 25

shifted its focus to conventional corporate business goals of double-digit growth, national market share and an optimal share price for its stock, which it has sold publicly since 1992. In 2017, Whole Foods Market was acquired by retail giant Ama- zon.com Inc. for $13.7 billion. The company is renowned for its high prices (decreasing since the Amazon acquisition), conflict-ridden parking lots and founder John Mackey’s conservative economic views, in particular his public denunciation of labor unions and the Affordable Care Act, as well as his libertar- ian claims about the evils of government. At best, Whole Foods offers consumers opportunities to improve their health and reduce their ecological foot print through individual acts of self-reform. It may be the most prominent descendant of activist business in America today, but it is a neo- liberal offspring that its forebears would not recognize as legitimate. In the 21st century, activist entre- preneurs’ most enduring legacy is the language of liberation and social change they passed on to countless businesses, many of which have little enthusiasm for the work of social movements. Examples of this influence include tech compa- nies in Silicon Valley that seek to flatten their organizations and encourage their employees to embrace mindful medita- tion; self-described social enterprises and “mission-driven” businesses; artisanal and boutique retailers that promote “buying local” and celebrate their independence from chain stores and mass production; and even big-box retailers that now gladly sell products they once scorned, including black-authored books and organic foods. Despite their widespread influence, activist businesses of the 1960s and 1970s are rarely remembered for the impact they have had on contemporary companies that celebrate ethical business and com- munity engagement. Meanwhile, a new generation of committed leftist businesses calling themselves the “solidarity econ- omy” or “new economy” has emerged to ENCOURAGING COLLECTING SINCE 1978 No.104 - JULY 2017 Canadian War Bonds Gnomes of Zurich at new museum Presidential Scam Worldwide Auctions ➠ CZECH BONDS ➠ GENERALS ➠ SOUTHERN STOCKS Ships on Wheels Joshua Clark Davis is assistant professor of history at the University of Baltimore and the author of From Head Shops to Whole Foods, from which this article was adapted. Copyright © 2017 Columbia University Press. Used by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved. INTERNATIONAL BOND & SHARE SOCIETY THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOND & SHARE SOCIETY SCRIPOPHILY continue the work begun by earlier activist entrepreneurs. Although this revival has slowed the decline of activist storefronts in the past several decades, it has not stopped that decline. Solidarity businesses are fewer in num- ber and less visible than their predecessors were in the 1960s and 1970s. Corporate co-optation of some of activist businesses’ most popular features has made their offerings less distinctive and less appealing to customers than they once were. Ironi- cally, the appropriation of activist enter- prises’ ideas by the business mainstream has made it more difficult for the new gen- eration of activist businesses to thrive.  PUTTING FINANCIAL HISTORY IN YOUR HANDS The International Bond and Share Society has supported collectors of vintage bonds and shares from all countries since 1978. For $32, €25 or £20 annually, receive : ◆ Three issues a year of our full color 32 page journal Scripophily with news, in-depth articles, auction reports and more ◆ Membership Directory listing dealers, auction houses and fellow collectors ◆ Members-only part of the Society website, scripophily.org ◆ Several mail bid auctions each year ◆ Breakfast meetings at annual major collector events in New York City, Washington DC and Antwerp, Belgium Sanitary Shares For further information contact Mails on Rails Indian scripophily taking off Swedish scripophily Max Hensley President US Chapter 116 Parklane Dr., San Antonio, TX 78212 USA Philip Atkinson Membership Secretary 167 Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead, Surrey, KT21 2LP, UK usachapter@scripophily.org secretary@scripophily.org Or visit our website - www.scripophily.org www.MoAF.org  |  Fall 2017  |  FINANCIAL HISTORY  23