Download or read book Democratic Alternatives written by United States. Congress. Senate. Democratic Policy Committee and published by . This book was released on 1982 with total page 108 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Democratic Alternatives written by United States. Congress. Senate. Democratic Policy Committee and published by . This book was released on 1982 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Alternatives to Capitalism written by Robin Hahnel and published by Verso Books. This book was released on 2016-05-24 with total page 158 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What would a viable free and democratic society look like? Poverty, exploitation, instability, hierarchy, subordination, environmental exhaustion, radical inequalities of wealth and power—it is not difficult to list capitalism’s myriad injustices. But is there a preferable and workable alternative? Alternatives to Capitalism: Proposals for a Democratic Economy presents a debate between two such possibilities: Robin Hahnel’s “participatory economics” and Erik Olin Wright’s “real utopian” socialism. It is a detailed and rewarding discussion that illuminates a range of issues and dilemmas of crucial importance to any serious effort to build a better world.
Download or read book Democracy and Its Alternatives written by Richard Rose and published by JHU Press. This book was released on 1998-10-16 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The collapse of Communism has created the opportunity for democracy to spread from Prague to the Baltic and Black Seas. But the alternatives—dictatorship or totalitarian rule—are more in keeping with the traditions of Central Europe. And for many post-Communist societies, democracy has come to be associated with inflation, unemployment, crime, and corruption. Is it still true, then, as Winston Churchill suggested a half-century ago, that people will accept democracy with all its faults—because it is better than anything else? To find out, political scientists Richard Rose, William Mishler, and Christian Haerpfer examine evidence from post-Communist societies in eastern Europe. Drawing on data from public opinion and exit polls, election results, and interviews, the authors present testable hypotheses regarding regime change, consolidation, and prospects for stabilization. The authors point out that the abrupt transition to democracy in post-Communist countries is normal; gradual evolution in the Anglo-American way is the exception to the rule. While most recent books on democratization focus on Latin America and, to some extent, Asia, the present volume offers a unique look at the process currently under way in nine eastern European countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Belarus, and Ukraine. Despite the many problems these post-Communist societies are experiencing in making the transition to a more open and democratic polity, the authors conclude that a little democracy is better than no democracy at all.
Download or read book Globalization Neo conservative Policies and Democratic Alternatives written by John Loxley and published by Arp Books. This book was released on 2005 with total page 484 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the course of the last two decades, governments around the world implemented a fundamental shift in the mainstream economic policy and ushered in a period of globalization. These changes, which are commonly known as "neo-conservative," were resisted by a range of social forces, from workers to farmers, in the universities and on the streets. With its diverse international perspectives of globalization and formulations of alternative economic policies, this volume of essays responds to and posits alternatives for the uncreative and unjust policy decisions of world governments that negatively affect the welfare of the world's indigent people. This book's unifying theme is the principle of social justice that motivates Loxley's life and work. Loxley, an economist, is perhaps best known for his work in South Africa (as an advisor to Nelson Mandela during the transition from apartheid) and with First Nations communities in his native Canada. Many of the 19 essays explore the impact of globalization on the developing world, particularly Africa. A comprehensive and expansive exploration of the global impact of neo-conservative economic policies from an internationally diverse group of scholarly voices.
Download or read book Alternatives to Neoliberalism written by Jones, Bryn and published by Policy Press. This book was released on 2017-02-08 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this collection, innovative and eminent social and policy analysts, including Colin Crouch, Anna Coote, Grahame Thompson and Ted Benton, challenge the failing but still dominant ideology and policies of neo-liberalism. The editors synthesise contributors’ ideas into a revised framework for social democracy; rooted in feminism, environmentalism, democratic equality and market accountability to civil society. This constructive and stimulating collection will be invaluable for those teaching, studying and campaigning for transformative political, economic and social policies.
Download or read book The Climate Crisis written by Vishwas Satgar and published by NYU Press. This book was released on 2018-02-01 with total page 372 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Essays that address the question: how can people and class agency change this destructive course of history? Capitalism’s addiction to fossil fuels is heating our planet at a pace and scale never before experienced. Extreme weather patterns, rising sea levels and accelerating feedback loops are a commonplace feature of our lives. The number of environmental refugees is increasing and several island states and low-lying countries are becoming vulnerable. Corporate-induced climate change has set us on an ecocidal path of species extinction. Governments and their international platforms such as the Paris Climate Agreement deliver too little, too late. Most states, including South Africa, continue on their carbon-intensive energy paths, with devastating results. Political leaders across the world are failing to provide systemic solutions to the climate crisis. This is the context in which we must ask ourselves: how can people and class agency change this destructive course of history? Volume three in the Democratic Marxism series, The Climate Crisis investigates eco-socialist alternatives that are emerging. It presents the thinking of leading climate justice activists, campaigners and social movements advancing systemic alternatives and developing bottom-up, just transitions to sustain life. Through a combination of theoretical and empirical work, the authors collectively examine the challenges and opportunities inherent in the current moment. This volume builds on the class-struggle focus of Volume 2 by placing ecological issues at the centre of democratic Marxism. Most importantly, it explores ways to renew historical socialism with democratic, eco-socialist alternatives to meet current challenges in South Africa and the world.
Download or read book The Alternative Right s Attempt at Autocratic Democracy in Twenty First Century America written by Chuck A. Baker and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2021-10-15 with total page 205 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Alternative Right’s Attempt at Autocratic Democracy in Twenty-First Century America analyzes the several significant factors that influenced the cultural environment to move American democracy toward authoritarianism. Chuck A. Baker hypothesizes that growing xenophobia, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the 2008 recession, and neoliberal economic philosophy were the shocks that made possible a lurch toward autocratic democracy. Several of the central tenets embedded in fascism like conventionalism, acquiescence to coercion, and hostility toward the less powerful would manifest as autocratic-democratic rule gained traction. As minority communities were made vulnerable, the lethality of police practices against unarmed minorities and the government’s response to such coercive oppression motivated protests throughout America. The January 6, 2021 Capital riots made clear that the far-right was willing to utilize violence to meet their goal. Statements that situated ‘Making America Great Again’ reminded right-wing extremists of an epoch in which racism and sexism were part of the American society’s structure. This book examines, in a sociological manner, the factors that made autocratic democracy palatable to a large plurality of Americans. The text discusses the reason for social change in the middle twentieth century and then utilizes quantitative methodology to elucidate the events in the twenty-first century that threaten democracy through authoritarian practices.
Download or read book Is Democracy Possible written by John Burnheim and published by Sydney University Press. This book was released on 2006 with total page 163 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Is Democracy Possible? John Burnheim presents bold and original proposals for the working of a new democracy. In particular he provides a radical reinterpretation of the concept and mechanics of representation and a structure that is designed to avoid concentrations of power and powertrading at any level. Among other points, he argues that we must abandon mass voting in favour of statistical representation. For the second edition of this important work, Burnheim reflects upon the impact of the book and upon his current thoughts on the primary issues he raised when it was first published in 1985. Despite a generation of dramatic historical change and intense theoretical interest in issues of global democratisation since then, the problems raised remain unsolved. Is Democracy Possible? remains a distinctive and provocative discussion of the possibilities for the democratic reorganisation of modern society. 'Is Democracy Possible? should ... be widely read. It is a clear and freshly written statement of an unconventional and provocative thesis which will stimulate the jaded and annoy the complacent.' Vernon Bogdabor, Times Literary Supplement
Download or read book Alternatives to Democracy in Twentieth Century Europe written by Sabrina P. Ramet and published by Central European University Press. This book was released on 2019-06-12 with total page 492 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Alternatives to Democracy in Twentieth-Century Europe examines the historical examples of Soviet Communism, Italian Fascism, German Nazism, and Spanish Anarchism, suggesting that, in spite of their differences, they had some key features in common, in particular their shared hostility to individualism, representative government, laissez faire capitalism, and the decadence they associated with modern culture. But rather than seeking to return to earlier ways of working these movements and regimes sought to design a new future – an alternative future – that would restore the nation to spiritual and political health. The Fascists, for their part, specifically promoted palingenesis, which is to say the spiritual rebirth of the nation. The book closes with a long epilogue, in which Ramet defends liberal democracy, highlighting its strengths and advantages. In this chapter, the author identifies five key choke points, which would-be authoritarians typically seek to control, subvert, or instrumentalize: electoral rules, the judiciary, the media, hate speech, and surveillance, and looks at the cases of Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, Jarosław Kaczyński’s Poland, and Donald Trump’s United States.
Download or read book Democratic Alternatives written by United States. Congress. Senate. Democratic Policy Committee and published by . This book was released on 1984 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Against Democracy written by Jason Brennan and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2017-09-26 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A bracingly provocative challenge to one of our most cherished ideas and institutions Most people believe democracy is a uniquely just form of government. They believe people have the right to an equal share of political power. And they believe that political participation is good for us—it empowers us, helps us get what we want, and tends to make us smarter, more virtuous, and more caring for one another. These are some of our most cherished ideas about democracy. But Jason Brennan says they are all wrong. In this trenchant book, Brennan argues that democracy should be judged by its results—and the results are not good enough. Just as defendants have a right to a fair trial, citizens have a right to competent government. But democracy is the rule of the ignorant and the irrational, and it all too often falls short. Furthermore, no one has a fundamental right to any share of political power, and exercising political power does most of us little good. On the contrary, a wide range of social science research shows that political participation and democratic deliberation actually tend to make people worse—more irrational, biased, and mean. Given this grim picture, Brennan argues that a new system of government—epistocracy, the rule of the knowledgeable—may be better than democracy, and that it's time to experiment and find out. A challenging critique of democracy and the first sustained defense of the rule of the knowledgeable, Against Democracy is essential reading for scholars and students of politics across the disciplines. Featuring a new preface that situates the book within the current political climate and discusses other alternatives beyond epistocracy, Against Democracy is a challenging critique of democracy and the first sustained defense of the rule of the knowledgeable.
Download or read book The Democrats Must Lead written by James MacGregor Burns and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2019-07-11 with total page 235 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: All over the world, political parties are being born and political pluralism is being fostered. Ironically, here in the United States, the parties are blurring together ideologically, and the political process is suffering. One of the messages of this book is that a vital two-party system is essential to America’s political health. The last thing this country needs, the authors argue, is two Republican parties. At this critical moment in history, the Democratic party has the opportunity to offer the nation a real political choice, a sense of direction, and a program to address the needs of Americans in a changing world. It is time, they say, for a change—a change that only the Democrats can provide. As recounted here, a generation of Republican administrations have had their chance. The results have not been happy: deepening social divisions, heightened inequalities in income distribution, a decaying educational system, environmental exploitation, an insensitivity to the concerns of the less powerful, the largest public debt in history, and a foreign policy based on force. Recurring constitutional crises have also erupted, as epitomized by the Iran-Contra affair. The record is a sorry one. Alternatives exist, and the best ones rest with the Democratic party. The Democrats must lead. It is their responsibility to offer a new vision of the future and the means for achieving it—to provide a program that is compassionate, just, and inclusive of all. The politics of greed, exploitation, self-promotion, and militarism must be put behind us. Such are the themes of this extraordinary book. Leading academicians, each an expert in his or her area, emphasize the need for new leadership, propose contributions that a progressive Democratic party could make, and suggest what this party should stand for as well as how it can win in 1992. They urge the Democrats to be both brave and principled-brave in defying the conventional wisdom that Democrats must be moderate to win, and principled in sticking to progressive ideals. The book provides analysis of such areas as the political impact of an issue-oriented, liberal party; the campaign and media choices required to get a progressive message across; the role and concerns of women, blacks, Hispanics, and other 262underrepresented groups; electoral and legislative strategies for success; and the substance of what a progressive policy agenda should contain. Challenging and thought-provoking, these essays will help reshape political thinking during this critical period in the nation’s history. Their objective is creation of a society that represents and responds to human needs, and the authors indicate the way to achieve these goals through an invigorated, forward-looking Democratic party.
Download or read book Democrats Republicans written by Kraig P Archer and published by . This book was released on 2016-10-03 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Democrats, Republicans: None of the Above professor Kraig Archer addresses the flaws with the two major parties and goes on to suggest the creation of a viable alternative to address the issues that the two major parties are not solving.
Download or read book The Crisis of Liberal Democracy and the Path Ahead written by Bernd Reiter and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2017-08-24 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Offers insights into the Global Justice Movement – an influential transnational movement and predecessor of the recent struggles for economic and social justice and against austerity.
Download or read book Beyond Capitalism written by Jeff Shantz and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2013-04-25 with total page 471 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Capitalism as a global system barely allows the needs of the majority of the world's population to be met. Whether from an industrialized country such as the US or from South Africa, the need for an alternative can be felt all over the world. It is clear nowadays that, due to the non-democratic nature and inadequacies of capitalism, another system must take its place. Such a process has already begun through the cooperative movement, which this book examines along with other initiatives. Featuring essays by international scholars and activists from various spheres of the anti-capitalist left, the work features many examples from the north and the south, to cover both the historically-advanced and late capitalist economies. It discusses such initiatives as participatory economics, the Mondragon experience, worker cooperatives in Europe and Latin America, solidarity economy in South Africa, and more. Written in an accessible manner, Beyond Capitalism will be an invaluable resource for any student of social movements and political thought and for anyone looking for alternative to today's ongoing systemic crises.
Download or read book The Revival of Labor Liberalism written by Andrew Battista and published by University of Illinois Press. This book was released on 2023-12-11 with total page 257 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Revival of Labor Liberalism is a careful analysis of the twentieth-century decline of the labor-liberal coalition and the important efforts to revive their political fortunes. Andrew Battista chronicles the efforts of several new political organizations that arose in the 1970s and 1980s with the goal of reuniting unions and liberals. Drawing from extensive documentary research and in-depth interviews with union leaders and political activists, Battista shows that the new organizations such as the Progressive Alliance, Citizen Labor Energy Coalition, and National Labor Committee made limited but real progress in reconstructing and strengthening the labor-liberal coalition. Although the labor-liberal alliance remained far weaker than the rival business-conservative alliance, Battista illuminates that it held a crucial role in labor and political history after 1968. Focuses on a fraught but evolving partnership, Battista provides a broad analysis of factional divisions among both unions and liberals and considers the future of unionism and the labor-liberal coalition in America.
