Ten Essays for a 21st Century Socialism

Book excerpt: This book explores possible and realistic alternatives to a capitalism that is no longer sustainable, whether economically, socially, or for a habitable planet. Arguing that these alternatives can only be of socialist orientation, the author moves from a discussion of works that attempted to explain the failure of the socialisms of the 20th century, to a consideration of models for a new socialism. Through consideration of issues including the role of public services, the functions of public enterprises, the creation of a socialized sector, planning, and different forms of democracy, this volume espouses a model of economic democracy capable of dealing with market mechanisms without being dominated by them, as new world geopolitics emerge. A synthesis of proposals for socialist alternatives to today’s hegemonic form of shareholder capitalism, Ten Essays for a 21st Century Socialism will appeal to scholars of sociology, political theory and economics with interests in contemporary socialism.