Over some 30 years, Schweickart (Loyola Univ. Chicago) has defended and developed a vision of a democratic market socialism as a viable alternative to capitalism. With PhDs in both mathematics and philosophy, Schweickart has the tools to critically evaluate relevant arguments, both economic and ethical. In the first edition of After Capitalism (2002), Schweickart sought to present his case in a manner accessible to a general audience and to academic specialists. The second edition remains accessible to a general audience, but adds valuable discussions on the instability of capitalism, the current global crisis, different responses to this crisis in different parts of the world, and what may be an emerging Chinese version of market socialism. As in his earlier works, Schweickart writes with vigor and clarity. He has a gift for presenting abstract and complex material in a way that nonspecialist readers can understand. Readers who finish this book not yet ready to embrace Schweickart's vision for the future nonetheless will have a much richer understanding of the current crisis, the underlying causes of the crisis, and alternative possibilities. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. * CHOICE *
Schweikart's book After Capitalism is an imaginative handbook for creating a socialist American society that succeeds capitalism. It describes in down-to-earth detail a replacement for capitalism that he calls economic democracy and how we can bring it about. The book is an entertaining and informative tour de force, with a lot of careful thought behind it. Only reading it can do justice to its complexity. * The Bloomington Alternative *
For anybody who thinks that capitalism leads to economic and moral catastrophe David Schweickart's book is a formidable critique of capitalism and an excellent exposition of economic democracy as a new mode of production which may supersede the system in which we live. After Capitalism is a book full of hope for the critics of capitalism and a book which must be read by all socialists. It shows that there is a valuable alternative to capitalism and argues that the labour managed firm is better that the capitalistic one for a number of reasons, all of great importance. A system of democratic firms is the realization of socialism according to a marxist vision and, after the breakdown of central planning in Eastern Europe, may contribute to the revival of marxism in a new democratic form. After capitalism is an accessible book for students and anybody who is interested in politics and explains also the way we may follow to realize the new system. -- Bruno Jossa, University of Naples
David Schweickart's After Capitalism is both visionary and practical. Lucidly written, its serves well in the college classroom or in a discussion group of workers wanting to know what socialism is all about (I've tried it, and they loved it!). This new addition enhances the first by dealing with the current meltdown, and offering an alternative to all concerned with winning the battles for democracy. It's simply the best modern book on the topic. -- Carl Davidson, Steelworkers Associates and National Co-Chair of Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism
By far the most sophisticated, detailed and illuminating book yet to appear on a new vision for 21st century socialism. Must reading for anyone serious about building a meaningful progressive future. -- Gar Alperovitz, author of America Beyond Capitalism
Any revolutionary movement has to contend with three cardinal questions: What's wrong with the present system? What does a worthy successor look like? And how do we get there? After Capitalism by David Schweickart provides clear and compelling answers to all three, delivered in a wonderfully engaging and understandable style. If you've ever wondered whether we can do better than capitalism, read this book! -- J. Todd Wilson, California State University
