After Capitalism (New Critical Theory) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

David Schweickart moves beyond the familiar arguments against globalizing capitalism to contribute something absolutely necessary and long overdue--a coherent vision of a viable, desirable alternative to capitalism. He names this system Economic Democracy, a successor-system to capitalism which preserves the efficiency strengths of a market economy while extending democracy to the workplace and to the structures of investment finance. Drawing on both theoretical and empirical research, Schweickart shows how and why this model is efficient, dynamic, and superior to capitalism along a range of values.

About the Author

David Schweickart has been a professor of Philosophy at the Loyola University of Chicago since 1992. His previous books include Market Socialism: The Debate Among Socialists, Against Capitalism and Capitalism or Worker Control? An Ethical Economic Appraisal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.; illustrated edition edition (June 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742513009
• ISBN-13: 978-0742513006
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #159,036 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A vision of "Economic Democracy", December 23, 2002

By	David Chandler (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The evils of centrally planned socialism on the Soviet model are widely proclaimed, but capitalism has equally negative side effects: gross maldistribution of the fruits of the economy, the breeding of a mass consumer culture, and destruction of the environment among them. Capitalism may well collapse under its own excesses, but what would one propose to replace it? Margaret Thatcher's mantra was TINA...There Is No Alternative. David Schweickart's vision of "Economic Democracy" proposes a serious alternative. Even more fundamentally, it opens the door to thinking about alternatives. His may or may not turn out to be the definitive "successor system," but he is a leader in breaking out of the box.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is this already happening???, May 12, 2004

By	"tomu18" (Bridgeview, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This is a good book. It was recommended to me by a friend who took the professor's philisophy class. The professor provides an excellent lesson on capitalism. The economic democracy that the professor proposes is fascinating because it eliminates capitalism. First, the professor explains why capitalists are inherently bad for democracy, then he explains how we can do without capitalists, then he explains how we being to phase capitalists and their effects out of society. This is not a book that comes from far out in left field. In fact, I am the son of a father who is a member of a worker-collective right here in Chicago. Economic democracy is happening, but will it go as far as proposed in this book? If economic democracy is superior to capitalism, is there any other alternative for our future?

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars don't miss this, June 16, 2005

By	Louis Berger ([e-mail] Forsyth, GA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just want to add my voice to those who have lauded this book. It is superb in every way. Also, I want to call attention to Morris Berman's work, especially to his last two books, "Wandering God," and "The Twilight of American Culture", which provide important supplements to Schweickart's analysis.