Final answer:
Worker control and ownership of enterprises are justified through the principles of fair profit distribution and reducing worker alienation. A 'patronage refund' is a return of surplus to members in a cooperative based on their usage. The Democracy at Work Network views 'profit' as the collective effort of workers which should benefit them equitably.
Step-by-step explanation:
Justifications for worker control and ownership of enterprises come from criticisms of the traditional capitalism model, which can lead to a disparity in wealth and power between factory owners and workers. Proponents of worker-owned businesses argue that the value of a product should reflect the labor needed to create it and that profits should be distributed to laborers in proportion to their contribution. Additionally, addressing the alienation of workers in modern industrial societies and the concept of distributive justice within political ideologies supports the argument for greater worker control.
A 'patronage refund' is a concept related to cooperative businesses, where surplus revenues are returned to the members based on their patronage or usage of the cooperative, rather than on the amount of capital they have invested. This aligns with the principles of worker-owned companies, where workers are the main beneficiaries rather than external shareholders.
From the Democracy at Work Network's perspective, 'profit' is not simply viewed as financial gain but is considered a result of the collective effort of workers, which should, in turn, benefit the workers themselves rather than just a small group of owners or shareholders. This approach contrasts with the traditional focus on shareholder primacy, instead reflecting a stakeholder theory where the interests of all parties involved are balanced.