Democratic Alternatives
Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Democratic Policy Committee
Publisher:
Published: 1982
Total Pages: 148
ISBN-13:
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Alternatives to Democracy in Twentieth-Century Europe
Author: Sabrina P. Ramet
Publisher: Central European University Press
Published: 2019-06-12
Total Pages: 492
ISBN-13: 9633863104
DOWNLOAD EBOOKAlternatives to Democracy in Twentieth-Century Europe examines the historical examples of Soviet Communism, Italian Fascism, German Nazism, and Spanish Anarchism, suggesting that, in spite of their differences, they had some key features in common, in particular their shared hostility to individualism, representative government, laissez faire capitalism, and the decadence they associated with modern culture. But rather than seeking to return to earlier ways of working these movements and regimes sought to design a new future – an alternative future – that would restore the nation to spiritual and political health. The Fascists, for their part, specifically promoted palingenesis, which is to say the spiritual rebirth of the nation. The book closes with a long epilogue, in which Ramet defends liberal democracy, highlighting its strengths and advantages. In this chapter, the author identifies five key choke points, which would-be authoritarians typically seek to control, subvert, or instrumentalize: electoral rules, the judiciary, the media, hate speech, and surveillance, and looks at the cases of Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, Jarosław Kaczyński’s Poland, and Donald Trump’s United States.
Alternatives to Capitalism
Author: Robin Hahnel
Publisher: Verso Books
Published: 2016-05-24
Total Pages: 189
ISBN-13: 1784785067
DOWNLOAD EBOOKWhat would a viable free and democratic society look like? Poverty, exploitation, instability, hierarchy, subordination, environmental exhaustion, radical inequalities of wealth and power—it is not difficult to list capitalism’s myriad injustices. But is there a preferable and workable alternative? Alternatives to Capitalism: Proposals for a Democratic Economy presents a debate between two such possibilities: Robin Hahnel’s “participatory economics” and Erik Olin Wright’s “real utopian” socialism. It is a detailed and rewarding discussion that illuminates a range of issues and dilemmas of crucial importance to any serious effort to build a better world.
Democracy and Its Alternatives
Author: Richard Rose
Publisher: JHU Press
Published: 1998-10-16
Total Pages: 294
ISBN-13: 9780801860386
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThe collapse of Communism has created the opportunity for democracy to spread from Prague to the Baltic and Black Seas. But the alternatives—dictatorship or totalitarian rule—are more in keeping with the traditions of Central Europe. And for many post-Communist societies, democracy has come to be associated with inflation, unemployment, crime, and corruption. Is it still true, then, as Winston Churchill suggested a half-century ago, that people will accept democracy with all its faults—because it is better than anything else? To find out, political scientists Richard Rose, William Mishler, and Christian Haerpfer examine evidence from post-Communist societies in eastern Europe. Drawing on data from public opinion and exit polls, election results, and interviews, the authors present testable hypotheses regarding regime change, consolidation, and prospects for stabilization. The authors point out that the abrupt transition to democracy in post-Communist countries is normal; gradual evolution in the Anglo-American way is the exception to the rule. While most recent books on democratization focus on Latin America and, to some extent, Asia, the present volume offers a unique look at the process currently under way in nine eastern European countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Belarus, and Ukraine. Despite the many problems these post-Communist societies are experiencing in making the transition to a more open and democratic polity, the authors conclude that a little democracy is better than no democracy at all.
Civil Society and Democratic Theory
Author: Gideon Baker
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2003-08-27
Total Pages: 202
ISBN-13: 1134524064
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThis book introduces radically alternative models of civil society that have been developed outside the liberal democratic frame of reference, models which suggest that civil society does offer new and non-statist democratic possibilities. Drawing on a wide range of civil society theory-practice from Eastern Europe and Latin America (including the Zapatistas in Mexico), and from visions of global civil society too, this book is uniquely positioned to consider the questions posed by these alternative voices for democratic theory and practice. * Are there alternatives to the liberal democratic vision of civil society? * Is a democracy located in civil society rather than the state either possible or desirable? * How and why has the concept of civil society come to be used so widely today? * Can global civil society further the struggle for democracy initiated by national civil societies?
Future Alternatives for Educational Leadership
Author: Deborah M. Netolicky
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2021-09-01
Total Pages: 215
ISBN-13: 1000423344
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThis book offers provocations for what’s now and what’s next in educational leadership, simultaneously bringing the field both back to its basics—of equity, democracy, humanity, and education for all—and forward to productive, innovative, and necessary possibilities. Written during the pandemic reality of 2020, this collection shares the global voices and expertise of prominent and emerging leaders, scholars, and practitioners in education from the UK, the United States, South America, Canada, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. The authors engage with the complexities and uncertainties of leading in education. They examine research, reflections, and real stories from which school leaders, education system leaders, policymakers, and researchers in the field of educational leadership, can learn, and in which they will find honesty, authority, and inspiration to guide the future of the field. The new perspectives and hopeful alternatives presented in this outstanding book are essential to researchers, school leaders, and policymakers, and are key to advancing education into positive and democratic futures.
Is Democracy Possible?
Author: John Burnheim
Publisher: Sydney University Press
Published: 2006
Total Pages: 163
ISBN-13: 1920898425
DOWNLOAD EBOOKIn Is Democracy Possible? John Burnheim presents bold and original proposals for the working of a new democracy. In particular he provides a radical reinterpretation of the concept and mechanics of representation and a structure that is designed to avoid concentrations of power and powertrading at any level. Among other points, he argues that we must abandon mass voting in favour of statistical representation. For the second edition of this important work, Burnheim reflects upon the impact of the book and upon his current thoughts on the primary issues he raised when it was first published in 1985. Despite a generation of dramatic historical change and intense theoretical interest in issues of global democratisation since then, the problems raised remain unsolved. Is Democracy Possible? remains a distinctive and provocative discussion of the possibilities for the democratic reorganisation of modern society. 'Is Democracy Possible? should ... be widely read. It is a clear and freshly written statement of an unconventional and provocative thesis which will stimulate the jaded and annoy the complacent.' Vernon Bogdabor, Times Literary Supplement
Alternatives to Neoliberalism
Author: Bryn Jones
Publisher: Policy Press
Published: 2017-02-08
Total Pages: 298
ISBN-13: 144733115X
DOWNLOAD EBOOKIn this collection, innovative and eminent social and policy analysts, including Colin Crouch, Anna Coote, Grahame Thompson and Ted Benton, challenge the failing but still dominant ideology and policies of neo-liberalism. The editors synthesise contributors’ ideas into a revised framework for social democracy; rooted in feminism, environmentalism, democratic equality and market accountability to civil society. This constructive and stimulating collection will be invaluable for those teaching, studying and campaigning for transformative political, economic and social policies.
The Climate Crisis
Author: Vishwas Satgar
Publisher: NYU Press
Published: 2018-02-01
Total Pages: 293
ISBN-13: 177614208X
DOWNLOAD EBOOKEssays that address the question: how can people and class agency change this destructive course of history? Capitalism’s addiction to fossil fuels is heating our planet at a pace and scale never before experienced. Extreme weather patterns, rising sea levels and accelerating feedback loops are a commonplace feature of our lives. The number of environmental refugees is increasing and several island states and low-lying countries are becoming vulnerable. Corporate-induced climate change has set us on an ecocidal path of species extinction. Governments and their international platforms such as the Paris Climate Agreement deliver too little, too late. Most states, including South Africa, continue on their carbon-intensive energy paths, with devastating results. Political leaders across the world are failing to provide systemic solutions to the climate crisis. This is the context in which we must ask ourselves: how can people and class agency change this destructive course of history? Volume three in the Democratic Marxism series, The Climate Crisis investigates eco-socialist alternatives that are emerging. It presents the thinking of leading climate justice activists, campaigners and social movements advancing systemic alternatives and developing bottom-up, just transitions to sustain life. Through a combination of theoretical and empirical work, the authors collectively examine the challenges and opportunities inherent in the current moment. This volume builds on the class-struggle focus of Volume 2 by placing ecological issues at the centre of democratic Marxism. Most importantly, it explores ways to renew historical socialism with democratic, eco-socialist alternatives to meet current challenges in South Africa and the world.
Globalization, Neo-conservative Policies, and Democratic Alternatives
Author: John Loxley
Publisher: Arp Books
Published: 2005
Total Pages: 484
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKOver the course of the last two decades, governments around the world implemented a fundamental shift in the mainstream economic policy and ushered in a period of globalization. These changes, which are commonly known as "neo-conservative," were resisted by a range of social forces, from workers to farmers, in the universities and on the streets. With its diverse international perspectives of globalization and formulations of alternative economic policies, this volume of essays responds to and posits alternatives for the uncreative and unjust policy decisions of world governments that negatively affect the welfare of the world's indigent people. This book's unifying theme is the principle of social justice that motivates Loxley's life and work. Loxley, an economist, is perhaps best known for his work in South Africa (as an advisor to Nelson Mandela during the transition from apartheid) and with First Nations communities in his native Canada. Many of the 19 essays explore the impact of globalization on the developing world, particularly Africa. A comprehensive and expansive exploration of the global impact of neo-conservative economic policies from an internationally diverse group of scholarly voices.
