Does communism, against all odds, still have something interesting to say to us today? No grand theory looks quite as good in practice as it does on paper, but an honest appraisal sees some elements of communist theory that deserve to be rescued from the proverbial dustbin, and that is the purpose of this book.
This, however, requires a substantial rethinking of communism, a drafting of a kind of neo-communism from which everything that is impossible and/or undesirable is deleted.
This book seeks to set the record straight as to what communism means, what it was meant to mean, and what it could mean. The author proposes we give it some fresh thought in the context of economies smashed by the invisible hand of the market. He explores how a form of 'neo-communism' would compare to the winner-take-all capitalism that is eating the globe today.
This book differs from other books on communism, such as The Passing of an Illusion by Furet, or The Black Book of Communism by Courtois et al., in that it is not a historical account of the experiment of communist rule in some parts of the world. This book examines the original theory and worldview presented by and finds interesting clues to how we might tackle some of the problems that are still inherent in today'Â’s capitalist mode of production and work.
The all-out rejection of communist states and communist theory was an example of intellectual laziness. With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the implosion of the USSR, the West's rejection of all that smacked of socialism or communism was bolstered all the more, but that rejection was already close to complete at the time when the abuses of these states first became known.
However, if we begin by developing a fair and complete description of the worldview of communism, one that would have allowed Marx and most other communists to recognize themselves, we might actually conclude that they were onto something. No grand theory looks quite as good in practice as it does on paper, but an honest appraisal sees elements here that would help society today.
The descriptive part of the book is followed by a chapter in which the author evaluates the theory in the light of recent historical developments and current needs. What has to be rejected and what continues to be useful or even necessary? The result of such an analysis would constitute the core of a new 'communist manifesto.' It all adds up to a thoughtful, precise, and provocative read.
This, however, requires a substantial rethinking of communism, a drafting of a kind of neo-communism from which everything that is impossible and/or undesirable is deleted.
This book seeks to set the record straight as to what communism means, what it was meant to mean, and what it could mean. The author proposes we give it some fresh thought in the context of economies smashed by the invisible hand of the market. He explores how a form of 'neo-communism' would compare to the winner-take-all capitalism that is eating the globe today.
This book differs from other books on communism, such as The Passing of an Illusion by Furet, or The Black Book of Communism by Courtois et al., in that it is not a historical account of the experiment of communist rule in some parts of the world. This book examines the original theory and worldview presented by and finds interesting clues to how we might tackle some of the problems that are still inherent in today'Â’s capitalist mode of production and work.
The all-out rejection of communist states and communist theory was an example of intellectual laziness. With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the implosion of the USSR, the West's rejection of all that smacked of socialism or communism was bolstered all the more, but that rejection was already close to complete at the time when the abuses of these states first became known.
However, if we begin by developing a fair and complete description of the worldview of communism, one that would have allowed Marx and most other communists to recognize themselves, we might actually conclude that they were onto something. No grand theory looks quite as good in practice as it does on paper, but an honest appraisal sees elements here that would help society today.
The descriptive part of the book is followed by a chapter in which the author evaluates the theory in the light of recent historical developments and current needs. What has to be rejected and what continues to be useful or even necessary? The result of such an analysis would constitute the core of a new 'communist manifesto.' It all adds up to a thoughtful, precise, and provocative read.
