Capitalism is hegemonic today not because it is the best we fallible humans can do but because it supports, and is supported by, special interests of immense power. This book argues that Economic Democracy, a competitive economy of democratically run enterprises that replaces capitalist financial markets with more suitable institutions, will be more efficient than capitalism, more rational in its growth, more democratic, more egalitarian, and less alienating.Against Capitalism is an ambitious book, drawing on philosophical ...
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Capitalism is hegemonic today not because it is the best we fallible humans can do but because it supports, and is supported by, special interests of immense power. This book argues that Economic Democracy, a competitive economy of democratically run enterprises that replaces capitalist financial markets with more suitable institutions, will be more efficient than capitalism, more rational in its growth, more democratic, more egalitarian, and less alienating.Against Capitalism is an ambitious book, drawing on philosophical analysis, economic theory, and considerable empirical evidence to advance its controversial thesis. It examines both conservative and liberal forms of capitalism; it compares Economic Democracy to other models of socialism; and it considers the transition to Economic Democracy from advanced capitalist societies, from economies built on the Soviet model, and from conditions of underdevelopment. The book concludes with some unconventional reflections on historical materialism, ideal communism, and the future of Marxism.
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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.