Capitalism Democracy And Development

This book looks at the emergence of capitalism and democracy as systems of economic and political governance and considers how these two systems may be both mutually supportive and antagonistic. In mapping out the balance between capitalism and democracy, the book includes chapters on the theory and history of these systems that challenge the assumption that their spread will bring about a convergence of incomes either among countries or within them. Inequalities of income and power emerge as a major societal issue alongside poverty, and the book develops alternative societal models based upon the degree of inequality in wealth and power. Since 1980, Anglo-American style capitalism has been a cause of increased inequality in a number of rich countries and threatens to duplicate itself in many developing countries. The book argues that the increasing integration of markets (globalization) will not solve these problems of inequality, they require political solutions. The EU attempts one such solution, but it is not clear whether it will remain competitively viable. Meanwhile, increasing inequality is causing two serious problems for democratic societies: a move to the left and/or political instability in many developing countries and a rising tide of immigrants seeking to move from poor countries to rich.

The authors offer a fresh and persuasive resolution to the controversy arising out of these contrasting traditions. Focusing on advanced industrial countries, Latin America, and the Caribbean, they find that the rise and persistence of democracy cannot be explained either by an overall structural correspondence between capitalism and democracy or by the role of the bourgeoisie as the agent of democratic reform. Rather, capitalist development is associated with democracy because it transforms the class structure, enlarging the working and middle classes, facilitating their self-organization, and thus making it more difficult for elites to exclude them. Simultaneously, development weakens the landed upper class, democracy's most consistent opponent.

This book examines the intellectual ideas that underpin our understanding of capitalism. Framing these debates through the work on John Stuart Mill and Joseph Schumpeter, the development of democracy and its relationship with capitalism is explored to provide insight into the rationality of individuals and the distribution of power. By analysing the evolution of economic systems, ideas relating to democracy, capitalism, liberalism, competition, and elites are also defined. This book aims to inform current economic and political debates and to highlight new forms of democracy and capitalism. It will be relevant to students and researchers interested in the political economy and the history of economic thought.

Analyzes and interprets political development theory from a critical Marxist perspective. The central theme is the emergence of a separate doctrine for political development in the wake of disillusionment with the prospects of building a universal theory, interpreted by the author as a transitional program for the installation and consolidation of capitalist regimes in the Third World. Topics include capitalism and democracy in the post-war period; the search for a theory of development; functionalism; political culture; and the comparative historical approach. Distributed by Books International. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A study of rapid capitalist development in Thailand and the rivalries generated not only between the older bureaucracy and the newer, rising entrepreneurial elite, but also between urban and rural entrepreneurs. Girling explores the classic problems associated with capitalism and democracy, the dangers and exhilaration of nationalist sentiment, the contradictions inherent in Thai development, and the rise of the middle class. His work is a fascinating reconsideration of problems that have faced many theorists.

What, and who, are we working for? A thoughtful assessment on our current society from “probably America’s most prominent Marxist economist” (The New York Times). Capitalism as a system has spawned deepening economic crisis alongside its bought-and-paid-for political establishment. Neither serves the needs of our society. Whether it is secure, well-paid, and meaningful jobs or a sustainable relationship with the natural environment that we depend on, our society is not delivering the results people need and deserve. One key cause for this intolerable state of affairs is the lack of genuine democracy in our economy as well as in our politics. The solution requires the institution of genuine economic democracy, starting with workers managing their own workplaces, as the basis for a genuine political democracy. Here Richard D. Wolff lays out a hopeful and concrete vision of how to make that possible, addressing the many people who have concluded economic inequality and politics as usual can no longer be tolerated and are looking for a concrete program of action. “Wolff’s constructive and innovative ideas suggest new and promising foundations for much more authentic democracy and sustainable and equitable development, ideas that can be implemented directly and carried forward. A very valuable contribution in troubled times.” —Noam Chomsky, leading public intellectual and author of Hope and Prospects

This book critically analyzes the current historical conjuncture of neoliberal capitalism with an eye to its emergent alternatives. Can democracy and capitalism thrive together? Is socialism a viable and a desirable alternative? What are the forms of emancipatory action and critical thought that can effectively chart a way forward? Focusing on nine “critical debates” it provides a uniquely comprehensive overview of the tensions, contradictions, and latent emancipatory potential of contemporary global capitalism. The specific debates are as follows: capitalism’s relationship with democracy; privatization and governance of the commons; the financialization of capitalism; technology and the future of work; varieties of neoliberal capitalism; cosmopolitanism, international development, and human rights; feminist theory and social solidarity; sustainability and climate change; and theories of capitalist crisis.