This book is a completely rewritten version of the author's earlier Capitalism or Worker Control? (first published in 1980). Its central thesis is that, despite the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the break-up of the Soviet Union, capitalism cannot be justified on either economic or ethical grounds. There is in fact an alternative to capitalism that promises greater efficiency, and equality, and more rational growth, democracy and meaningful work. This alternative, Economic Democracy, is market socialism with ...
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This book is a completely rewritten version of the author's earlier Capitalism or Worker Control? (first published in 1980). Its central thesis is that, despite the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the break-up of the Soviet Union, capitalism cannot be justified on either economic or ethical grounds. There is in fact an alternative to capitalism that promises greater efficiency, and equality, and more rational growth, democracy and meaningful work. This alternative, Economic Democracy, is market socialism with decentralised investment planning and workplace democracy. Professor Schweickart compares this model with other models - laissez-faire conservatism, the Keynesian welfare state, and 'neo-liberalism' - and argues that it is really superior on every count. He also sketches out a possible transition from advanced capitalism, from what is left of the centrally planned economies, and from Third World underdevelopment, to Economic Democracy. The author concludes with some reflections on Marx's communism, as historical materialism, and on the future of Marxism.
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Add this copy of Against Capitalism to cart. $67.62, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 1996 by Routledge.
Add this copy of Against Capitalism to cart. $169.09, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2019 by Routledge.
THE best book on a real, feasible, working alternative to capitalism -- a market socialist system based on democratic worker controlled forms and publicly financed credit. Nicely written, well argued, politely but utterly devastting to right wing and centrist pieties, informed by a real knowledge of philosophy (of which the author on a professor) and economics (he has a PhD in math, but doesn;t show it off). AC sets a very high bar for defenders of capitalism because he explains clearly why capitalists are superfluous parasites and knocks over the central arguments against socialism like bowling pins. He develops his model in enough detail for it it to be understood but not so much that it is Utopian tomfoolery. He is totally undogmatic, nor orthodox anything. A superb piece of work, essential for anyone interested in politics, economics, alternatives to capitalism, or defenses of capitalism. Buy it, read it, use it.
