Alternatives to capitalism / edited by Jon Elster and Karl O. Moene.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Elster, Jon, 1940-

Moene, Karl Ove.

Series:

Studies in Marxism and social theory

Studies in Marxism and social theory.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Capitalism.

Socialism.

Central planning.

Profit-sharing.

Physical Description:

viii, 179 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, CB ; New York, NY, USA : Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, 1989.

Summary:

The essays in this provocative new collection survey and assess institutional arrangements that could be alternatives to capitalism as it exists today. The point of departure agreed upon by the contributors is that on the one hand, capitalism produces unemployment, a lack of autonomy in the workplace, and massive income inequalities; while on the other, central socialist planning is characterized by underemployment, inefficiency, and bureaucracy. In Part I of the volume, various alternatives are proposed: profit-sharing systems, capitalism combined with some central planning, worker-owned firms in a market economy; also suggested is the introduction of the elements of market economy into a centrally planned economy, as has occurred recently in Hungary. Part II provides a theoretical analysis and assessment of these systems.

This book is the first to cover such a wide range of subjects as central planning, market socialism, and profit sharing. It will prove indispensable to political and social scientists, and economists.

Contents:

Part I Alternatives

2 Internal subcontracting in Hungarian enterprises / Gyorgy Sziraczki 39

3 Profit-sharing capitalism / Martin L. Weitzman 61

4 The unclearing market / Tamas Bauer 71

5 Strong unions or worker control? / Karl Ove Moene 83

6 The role of central planning under capitalism and market socialism / Alec Nove 98

Part II Criteria

7 Are freedom and equality compatible? / G. A. Cohen 113

8 Self-realisation in work and politics: the Marxist conception of the good life / Jon Elster 127

9 Pubic ownership and private property externalities / John E. Roemer 159.

Notes:

Includes bibliographies.

ISBN:

0521371783

OCLC:

18560715