Making Capitalism Fit For Society

Description

Capitalism is the only complex system known to us that can provide an efficient and innovative economy, but the financial crisis has brought out the pernicious side of capitalism and shown that it remains dependent on the state to rescue it from its own deficiencies. Can capitalism be reshaped so that it is fit for society, or must we acquiesce to the neoliberal view that society will be at its best when markets are given free rein in all areas of life? The aim of this book is to show that the acceptance of capitalism and the market does not require us to accept the full neoliberal agenda of unrestrained markets, insecurity in our working lives, and neglect of the environment and of public services. In particular, it should not mean supporting the growing dominance of public life by corporate wealth. The world's most successful mature economies are those that fully embrace both the discipline of the market and the need for protection against its negative outcomes. Indeed, a continuing, unresolved clash between these two forces is itself a major source of vitality and innovation for economy and society. But maintenance of that tension depends on the enduring strength of trade unions and other critical groups in civil society - a strength that is threatened by neoliberalism's increasingly intolerant onward march. Outlining the principles for a renewed and more assertive social democracy, this timely and important book shows that real possibilities exist to create a better world than that which is being offered by the wealthy elites who dominate our public and private lives.

Reviews

"A lively argument, sometimes sour, sometimes hopeful, but always backed up by telling facts on the future of capitalist society." Richard Sennett, London School of Economics "Faced by a dominant neo-liberal ideology and striped of an historic agent, social democracy needs to transform itself. Colin Crouch is unique in his ability to dissect the dilemmas and suggest positive strategies. Making Capitalism Fit For Society is the best book so far for anyone wanting to start the journey of renewal." Neal Lawson, Chair of Compass

Author description

Colin Crouch is Professor Emeritus at the University of Warwick, and the External Scientific member of the Max-Planck-Institute for Social Research at Cologne.

Table of contents

Preface I. From a defensive to an assertive social democracy II. We are all (partly) neoliberals now III. Marketization and market inadequacies IV. Marketization and the welfare state V. The welfare state of assertive social democracy VI. Threats and enemies VII. Social democracy as the highest form of liberalism VIII. What about the party? IX. A feasible prospectus? Appendix to Chapter V References Index