The Political Economy of Cooperatives and Socialism

The Political Economy of Cooperatives and Socialism PDF Author: Bruno Jossa
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000728021
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Book Description
This book argues that capitalism cannot be said to be truly democratic and that a system of producer cooperatives, or democratically managed enterprises, is needed to give rise to a new mode of production which is genuinely socialist and fully consistent with the ultimate rationale underlying Marx’s theoretical approach. The proposition that firms should be run by the workers on their own, was endorsed by John Dewey, the greatest social thinker of the twentieth century, but is also shared by Marxists such as Anton Pannekoek, Karl Korsch, Angelo Tasca, Antonio Gramsci and Richard Wolff. This book explores the history of this argument taking in concepts from economic and political thought including historical materialism, cooperation, utopianism and economic democracy. The book will be of significant interest to scholars and students of political economy, Marxism, socialism, history of economic thought and political theory.

Managing the Cooperative Enterprise

Managing the Cooperative Enterprise PDF Author: Bruno Jossa
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1800372019
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 192

Book Description
This book revolves around the idea that capitalism is not a democratic system and that a system of producer cooperatives, or democratically managed enterprises, gives rise to a new mode of production which is authentically socialist in essence and fully consistent with the ultimate rationale underlying Marx’s theoretical approach. The author argues that the cooperative firm system outlined in this book offers a rich array of non-economic benefits that justify its classification as a ‘genuinely socialist’ entity, with real potential for achieving true economic democracy.

Cooperatives and Socialism

Cooperatives and Socialism PDF Author: Camila Piñeiro Harnecker
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1137277750
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 576

Book Description
This book demonstrates that the cooperative model is based on principles essential to building a more just and democratic society. It is argued that this is the best economic reform alternative to neoliberal capitalism and authoritarian socialism in Cuba, and that this model can also radically transform other economies around the world.

A New Model of Socialism

A New Model of Socialism PDF Author: Bruno Jossa
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1788117832
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 336

Book Description
Economic democracy is essential for creating a truly democratic political sphere. This engaging book uses Marxist theory to hypothesise that capitalism is not a democratic system, and that a modern socialist system of producer cooperatives and democratically managed enterprises is urgently needed. A New Model of Socialismfocuses on the current crisis of the political Left, a result of the collapse of the Soviet model of society and the decline of statism and kingship. Bruno Jossa expands on existing theories to explore Marx?s notions on economic democracy in a modern setting. He advocates a move away from the centralised planning form of economic socialism towards a self-management system for firms that does not prioritise the interests of one class over another, in order to achieve greater economic democracy. It is argued that the establishment of such a system of democratic firms is the precondition for reducing intervention in the economy, thus enabling the State to perform its ultimate function of serving the public interest. This timely book is ideal for advanced scholars of Marxist, radical and heterodox economic theory, as well as academics with an interest in the rise of socialism in our modern world. Indeed, it will also be of value to all those seeking a viable and practical alternative to existing capitalist and socialist thinking.

Political Economy of Socialism

Political Economy of Socialism PDF Author: Branko Horvat
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000122646
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 692

Book Description
This book is an exploration into the uncharted territory of social reality. It explores social relations and politics, presenting a critique of contemporary socioeconomic systems and discussions on the Marxist Doctrine of Transition. The book is intended to meet Robert Heilbroner's request.

Producer Cooperatives as a New Mode of Production

Producer Cooperatives as a New Mode of Production PDF Author: Bruno Jossa
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317963164
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 313

Book Description
The notion that there is no alternative to capitalism emerged after the fall of the Berlin Wall and made rapid headway due to increasing economic globalisation. More recently, this belief that there is no viable alternative has held firm despite the financial crisis, high unemployment levels and an ever-increasing gap between rich and poor. However, since the appearance of Benjamin Ward’s seminal 1958 article, economic theorists have been developing a workable alternative: a system of self-managed firms. The core argument outlined in this book is that a well-organised system of producer cooperatives would give rise to a new mode of production and, ultimately, a genuinely socialist society. This argument is developed through three key steps. First, following on from Jaroslav Vanek’s definition, it is argued that a ‘Labour-Managed Firm’, a firm which strictly segregates capital incomes from labour incomes, would implement a new production mode because it would reverse the pre-existing relation between capital and labour. Second, given that a system of these ‘Labour-Managed Firm’ cooperatives would reverse the capital-labour relationship, it is suggested that this would constitute a form of market socialism. Third, it is argued that compared to capitalism a system of producer cooperatives offers a wealth of advantages, including the potential for efficiency gains, the eradication of unemployment and the end of exploitation. Ultimately, this book concludes that self-management could take the place of central planning in Marxist visions for the future.

Cooperatives and Socialism

Cooperatives and Socialism PDF Author: Camila Piñeiro Harnecker
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1137277750
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 356

Book Description
This book demonstrates that the cooperative model is based on principles essential to building a more just and democratic society. It is argued that this is the best economic reform alternative to neoliberal capitalism and authoritarian socialism in Cuba, and that this model can also radically transform other economies around the world.

Cooperatives Confront Capitalism

Cooperatives Confront Capitalism PDF Author: Peter Ranis
Publisher: Zed Books Ltd.
ISBN: 1783606525
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 141

Book Description
Cooperatives the world over are successfully developing alternative models of decision-making, employment and operation without the existence of managers, executives and hierarchies. Through case studies spanning the US, Latin America and Europe, including valuable new work on the previously neglected cooperative movement in Cuba, Peter Ranis explores how cooperatives have evolved in response to the economic crisis. Going further yet, Ranis makes the novel argument that the constitutionally enshrined principle of 'eminent domain' can in fact be harnessed to create and defend worker cooperatives. Combining the work of key radical theorists, including Marx, Gramsci and Luxemburg, with that of contemporary political economists, such as Block, Piketty and Stiglitz, Cooperatives Confront Capitalism provides what is perhaps the most far-reaching analysis yet of the ideas, achievements and wider historical context of the cooperative movement.

On Market Socialism

On Market Socialism PDF Author: Bruno Jossa
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1035309459
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 142

Book Description
Bruno Jossa expertly illustrates that the creation of a system of cooperative firms is tantamount to a revolution giving rise to a new production mode capable of reversing the existing relationship between capital and labour. The book also demonstrates a revolution enacted by peaceful and democratic means in order for worker-managed organisations to outnumber capitalistic ones.

Political Economy for Socialism

Political Economy for Socialism PDF Author: Makoto Itoh
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1349240184
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 254

Book Description
A reconsideration of socialism in the post-Soviet era based on the theoretical achievements of Japanese Marxist political economy. The origins and the various components of the broad current of socialist thought, as well as the implications of Marx's economic theories for socialism, are explored afresh. The Western debate on the rationality of a socialist economy, starting in the 1920s and continuing to the present, is reviewed and reassessed. The book further inquires into the nature, the achievements, and the character of the systemic change in the socialist economies of the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and China. The existence of a broad range of alternatives for future socialism, which can be chosen flexibly by the people of each society, is the message suggested by the book.