Customer Reviews

Build It Now: Socialism for the Twenty-First Century

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Despite the general title, this booklet is really about the issues Lebowitz, formerly Professor of Economics at Simon Fraser in Vancouver, encountered while helping 'build' socialism in Venezuela. The content consists of a bunch of short essays on the nature of socialism, worker management, resisting global capital, and identifying problems that need solving.

The general tone of the book is very simple and it's clearly aimed at people with no knowledge of socialism or economics whatever. This is in fact the case to such a degree that the only use this booklet can have is as a pointer for people who are sympathetic to socialist solutions, or have an inkling that capitalism may not be all it's cracked up to be, but have no clue where to look for answers. For them, Lebowitz might be a good introduction before they go on to reading real works. For everyone else, this is too simple and too lacking in discussion of serious problems in practice and theory to be worthwhile. Another thing is that Lebowitz seems to equate socialism with market socialism, which is a popular but not entirely uncontroversial solution. Most useful is therefore the last chapter/essay in the booklet, which discusses practical problems encountered in market socialism in Yugoslavia and how to solve them (though the former more than the latter).

I'll give the book three stars because its intent is good and it may be useful as popular literature to spread among friends and family. But do not look here for anything of serious theoretical value, contrary to Lebowitz' other excellent works.

Michael Lebowitz's "Build It Now" is a collection of seven short essays, all but one originally published or presented elsewhere, discussing some basic concepts of Marxism, democratic socialism, and recent events in Venezuela, where Lebowitz served as an advisor in the Ministry of Social Economy in 2004. While each essay is generally decent on its own -- well-written and often thought-provoking -- they are not well integrated into a coherent whole. They can also get repetitive, with whole paragraphs repeated verbatim in different essays. All together, "Build It Now" ends up less than the sum of its parts, while with some judicious editing it could have been considerably more.

Although the cover claims that "Build It Now" offers "a fresh, clear and innovative vision" of "socialism for the twenty-first century", I got the sense that Lebowitz primarily looked backwards, making Marx the central figure of the book and putting him on a very high pedestal. Somewhat more modern socialist topics were largely limited to Che Guevara and Yugoslavian experimentation with worker co-operatives, while Venezuela's Bolivarian revolution was pretty much the only twenty-first century phenomenon considered by Lebowitz.

Here are some very brief summaries of the seven essays that make up "Build It Now".

"The Needs of Capital versus the Needs of Human Beings" (2002) focuses entirely on Marx, presenting a brief but clear development of some of Marx's criticisms of capitalism.

"Ideology and Economic Development" (2004) criticizes neoclassical and Keynesian economics, along with the associated politics of neoliberalism and social democracy (respectively), promoting instead radical endogenous development.

"The Knowledge of a Better World" (2004) revisits Marx, challenging the commodification of knowledge, as opposed to "the accumulation of knowledge for human development".

"Reclaiming a Socialist Vision" (2000) argues that simply opposing capitalism, without a vision of a socialist alternative, has only limited potential. Again, much of the discussion centers on Marx and his contemporaries.

"Socialism Doesn't Drop from the Sky" (2005) presents a nice discussion of "socialism as a process", as well as arguing against the idea that "you can change the world without taking power".

"Seven Difficult Questions" (2005) is an interesting essay, which outlined some of the problems encountered by Yugoslavian experiments with worker self-management, largely concerning relations between individual firms and society at large.

"The Revolution of Radical Needs: Behind the Bolivarian Choice of a Socialist Path" is the essay written especially for this volume. Since the previous essays are not well integrated, I hoped that this chapter would attempt to knit them together more coherently. However, it doesn't make much reference at all to the preceding pages, instead summarizing the recent history of Venezuela and the development of its Bolivarian revolution, from the 1989 Caracazo to the 1998 election of Chavez and the course of his presidency through 2005.

Individually, some of these were interesting and engaging, though not especially innovative or forward-looking. But they don't mesh or provide enough substance to live up to the title of the book, taken from the famous slogan of the South African Communist Party: "Socialism is the future, build it now!"

"Build it Now: Socialism For the Twenty-First Century" by Michael A. Lebowitz (Professor Emeritus of Economics, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada) offers readers an informed and compelling analysis of socialism adapted to the socio-economic and international political changes that are a part of the 21st century. Articulate, persuasive, and exhibiting a realistic optimism, Professor Lebowitz addresses the needs of capital and the needs of human beings, the necessities of ideological and economic development, how to reclaim a socialist vision in a world dominated by national and international corporations. "Build It Now" is a welcome and much needed contribution to the national dialogue of how to achieve economic and social equality in the world today.

The title of this thin book is misleading. Only truly in the last chapter, which was written solely for this volume, does the author come anywhere close to discussing what a 21st century socialism would look like. And when he gets around to it, the blueprint is entirely involved with the formation of the Chavez-lead state in Venezuela.


While the left can and will take away many valuable lessons from the struggle in Venezuela, I am curious on looking for theory driving an idea behind revolution of the post-industrial service economy like the one we suffer under in the United States. Venezuela's economy was more agrarian and resource driven than the one in which we live under. While it is interesting in seeing the transition and the flux encountered by that nation, I feel that the revolution of our brothers in South American can at any time fall apart. Chavez risks becoming another Castro instead of the impetus for the creation of a democratic, socialist state.


Where my own expectation were not met may be the the failings of my own expectations. The book , however, lacks in its structure. There is no coherent whole bringing it together except for the common author and the individual chapters reflecting on the author's talking points. The six individual chapters stand alone because they were written as speeches, papers or book chapters for other sources. Putting these together with an introduction and conclusion does not a book make. There are several instances in which the essays were not edited for internal consistency. This strikes one reader as pure laziness, but I don't know at whom to point the finger. One final critique is that Lebowitz's writing style can be detached and professorial. Even though I'm sympathetic to the cause described here, and I do want to "Build It Now!", I found this book hard to get through in truth.

Informations and analogies were based on false ideology. It's sad that so many people nowadays try to change this nation into communist or socialism ( same role, just different name) not really knowing the truth, just based on some political ideology that human history had repeatedly proved to be failed. In fact communism is the worst political system that ever presented on earth. Because of its brutality, I escaped from that regime. And I am happy to be in this country where human freedom is mostly respected, and protected. Communist lies saying every one shares equally: In fact only, those few comrades who caused the shift of power enjoy the wealth and power, but the rest of the general citizens have no equality nor basic human right. Any one speak against government---disappear next day to "concentration camp" w/o fair trials nor justice. Communist shut down all religious freedom, or freedom of speech ( all medias are government controlled) Communists deny any form of gods but instead, they set the status of Stalin or Ma chiding, or Kimjung ill, and have to sing songs and salute for them, worship them. From elementary children to elders... Anyone dares to go against the government, ---labor camp! Several millions who stand for their freedom were killed brutally in early 20th century, during the communism overturn.1989, Tinamen square, a million chines college students marched to protest against their communist government of oppression: it was broadcasted all over the world, they were asking communist government to give them ;freedom for speech, freedom of media, business, religion, true-democracy ( not like few communist party people controlling, governing) but by election. Sooner the communist government sent them tanks and guns and indiscriminately shoot them and ran over with tanks. Whole world watched through television broadcast and shocked by their brutality. There is no "equal Justice" like the communist ideologist deceives people. Only "Elite Party Comrades" have the privileges of special health care, food market for themselves only, supply stores for them only, but the rest of the citizens live in dirt poor situation deprived from basic human rights. It's just a power shift from have to have not. Maybe somebody should arrange some "exchange living tourism" between these communist countries and America, Send those "Deceived communism lovers" to live in those communist countries for a year or two years by themselves without any privileges as American, but just as like their citizen, then maybe all these communism, socialism, totalitarian movement in American will learn the true lessons of the reality, and waken up. Also, reading the books by real defects form those communist countries will give real ideas, not just full of bologna, lying ideology (theory) books out there.

Now some ignorant Americans already forgot about this just 20 years ago's brutality that we watched with our own eyes, want to change this great nation into communist?
Please study the real history. I mean the "real history" not just that stupid "ideology of communist". In a word, if you study the true history, communist repeatedly failed last 150 years.
and it's the most evil regime in the history. Why?: Stalin communist government killed 90 millions including the vicinity nations that were turn into communism, Macho-tong communist killed 100 millions, 2 millions by North Korea, by Cambodia each, 2 millions in Africa, 200,000 latin America..so on . But most of all they all became terribly poor after communist regime,oppressing the free capitalism, except China, because they started to adapt the partial capitalism from 10 years ago after they realized the harsh economic state. Now history tells also other totalitarianistic evil regime; Hitler killed 6 million jew with other 4 million of Europeans; Japan' imperialism killed 20 million Asians during WWII, ..so on.

When communism and socialism oppress people's creative and force them to work for "common Good", the productivity drops automatically. Why? men were not made to work for Common good. Maybe some aliens from different planet or maybe Jesus will do for common good. But not men's nature. That's why communism make every one poorer and poorer. When men get prosperous by working hard, with their creativity, they help others if they are normal. because normal people appreciate God's wisdom of love and peace.But if the much power goes to God-haters, but seeking totalitarianistic government, you will see the corruption everywhere. Because they basically don't know, or appreciate God's wisdom of love and peace for all, they will fully manifest their selfishness and brutality.

If USA turned into communism, the power will shift to only those who hate the existing American system. They secretly controlling medias ( I already see it happened ) and brainwashing the youth with distorted facts in textbooks last 20 years. They keep change their names, their activity, and theory. Why? if they openly speak up, they know they will fail because any normal mind people will see the deception and its perversion. Look at these behind scenes of the head members. They are not normal mind, full of hatred, and causing always divisions, manipulations

Men can't govern themselves.They are very selfish, greedy and evil by nature. If any political party, government have too much power, they will certainly hurt others unless they truly know jesus who always teach love and peace. That's why our America's constitution is truly great, because it was written by the God's fairness and wisdom protecting basic human rights that is originally from God . I realized only those who hate God fall into "deny the constitution, or change it because it's old ideas". Too old constitution? Then why the whole world always look upon America when it comes, most well practiced freedom and human right? Please have reasons.

Collect the real historic facts, separate from the author's propaganda. Lineup the real facts, then you will see the history more accurately. Always develop the "reasoning power" of your own this way, not swayed by many false propagandas in most books out there. If you don't have your own reasoning power, you will be always vulnerable and get deceived.
Interestingly always angry, poor people become the front line deceived victims of these evil ideology. So instead, ask God to enlighten your heart to live with love and peace with others and ask your personal blessing instead of trying to destroy others who seems have.
If you believe somebody or some classes hurt your people, look at this. Bible says: forgive your enemy, don't live with your past: Don't covet your neighbors: work diligently on your own hands so you don't steal, become a burden to others. And lastly, love your neighbors as yourself. Then you will live in the true blessing of God, the creator. Those citizens of chines and all the other communist countries, including north korean, who are brutally oppressed in the middle Eastern Islam tyrannies still wants their human freedom with the destruction of the oppressing totalitarianistic regime still today. So why move to backward of mistakes people?

Research the communism nations' history. All the nations turned into communism fall into worst human rights and economic state from their establishment. Any communist countries in the history ever get better as decades go by?China is the only seemingly doing well now. Why? because from 10 years ago, they realized communism was failed with extreme poverty, started to adapting the partial capitalism into their system-free competitive capitalism. That's the reality people. If USA turned into communism, the power will shift to only those who hate the existing American system. They secretly controlling communicast-medias ( I already see it happened ) and brainwashing the youth with distorted facts in textbooks last 20 years. They keep change their names, their activity, and theory. Why? if they openly speak up, they know they will fail because any normal mind people will see the deception and its perversion. Look at these behind scene head members:They are mostly angry people with extreme hatred. Before you get associate with these kinds, study the actual communism history and the result of those countries over last 100 years. then you might understand why people escape from those communist countries despite the danger of their lives, come to USA. Americans seem so ignorant , don't even know what kind of freedom or dreams that anyone can pursue if they want. I can't believe how americans are lazy and stupid (sorry for my expression) not protecting their precious freedom and the wealth that whole world envy. Pretty sad to see this great nation is stumbling by the smooth, deceitful talking, present government and together with mostly blinded, deceivedmajority. My last word: America wake up and protect what your forefathers gave to you. Don't get robbed by those haters of your wealth and power. If America had been the most wealthy and liberal nation in the whole world so far, doesn't it already proved what you have is the best national system already?Do you have to be a rocket scientist to see this simple truth? Don't be deceived. Though there are some defectiveness of the free-market -capitalism, still when it comes to human dignity and god given , basic human freedom, communism and socialism are the evil, and total failures!