Socialism: Past and Future (Mentor) [Paperback]

Michael Harrington (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mentor | Publication Date: September 1, 1992

The author of The Other America discusses the evolving nature of socialism, examining its past, present, and future and discusses the work of Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, and others. Reprint. NYT.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Harrington discusses the ways that socialism can be applied to modern political systems to ensure justice and human freedom, criticizes Eastern European versions of socialism and indicates the success of Sweden's social democrats. According to PW , this is a "succinct, readable synthesis of the various strands of his thought" and "his blueprint for a 'visionary gradualism' deserves a reading."
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

As this may be Harrington's last major work (he is battling inoperable cancer), it is worthy of careful attention even though it covers some familiar territory. It is both a condensation of and a sequel to his massive theoretical study Socialism ( LJ 6/1/72), and it also refines and supports arguments put forth in writings such as Toward a Democratic Left ( LJ 3/15/68) and The Next Left ( LJ 1/15/84). He argues that socialist renewal is the only hope for progress and freedom in the next century and he tries to clear away the "deadwood of the socialist past." He is convincing in his application of classic socialist theory to current economic situations, and he examines the validity of the idea of "visionary gradualism" in bringing about a socialist agenda. Recommended for all academic libraries.
- Thomas A. Karel, Franklin & Marshall Coll. Lib., Lancaster, Pa.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Signet (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451628543
• ISBN-13: 978-0451628541
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,169,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book that Changed My Life, December 28, 2004

By 

Donald P. Taylor (Madison, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Socialism: Past and Future (Mentor) (Paperback)

I first read this book back in 1992, and it started a transformation in me that continues today. Harrington put a human face on socialism, tearing it away from the widespread Stalinist stereotype and reclaiming it for those of us who believe socialism is fundamentally democratic. Mike put the complexities of Marxism and socialism into terms the average American could understand. For me, this sparked a critical rethinking of everything I'd been taught previously about economics and class - an evolutionary educational process that continues in me today. No other book has ever had such a significant impact on me. Readers of this book should also check into the Democratic Socialists of America, the organization Mike founded.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for American leftists., May 11, 1998

By 

Andrew Hammer (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Socialism: Past and Future (Mentor) (Paperback)

At the end of the century, the late Michael Harrington's works remain the definitive works on socialism for the American Left. Socialism: Past & Future is his last book, and offers a clear picture of not only what democratic socialists believe, but also how socialists propose to deal with the problems of today's society.

11 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for those who already know a little about Socialism., July 19, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Los Angeles, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Socialism: Past and Future (Mentor) (Paperback)

Michael Harrington's Socialism: Past and Future is yet another example of Socialists' misconception of the common man. Many socialist writers, namely Marx and Engels, assume that the reader knows about socialism already, and has studied basic economics. This assumption was an integral part of the text. The book uses the vocabulary of a college text-book, refering to writers that nobody knows or cares about. This book, however, is not as poorly written as some of the older socialist texts. Another disease common to socialist texts is avoidance of certain issues, like the Third World, advancing technology, and basic human greed, but this book is different. Chapters are spent on subjects that Marx neglected, making this book better than the average of socialist books. Michael Harrington died of cancer shortly before the fall of the USSR. He predicts the fall of the communist powers in Asia, and most of his prophecies have come true, or are coming true.! The early chapters show the reader the world from the eyes of a socialist, and by the later chapters, the reader seeks knowledge of socialist theory and practice. Two things, that are, sadly, delivered abstractly, over many chapters.