The Atlantic Ocean not only connected North and South America with Europe through trade but also provided the means for an exchange of knowledge and ideas, including political radicalism. Socialists and anarchists would use this "radical ocean" to escape state prosecution in their home countries and establish radical milieus abroad. However, this was often a rather unorganized development and therefore the connections that existed were quite diverse. The movement of individuals led to the establishment of organizational ties and the import and exchange of political publications between Europe and the Americas. The main aim of this book is to show how the transatlantic networks of political radicalism evolved with regard to socialist and anarchist milieus and in particular to look at the actors within the relevant processes-topics that have so far been neglected in the major histories of transnational political radicalism of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Individual case studies are examined within a wider context to show how networks were actually created, how they functioned and their impact on the broader history of the radical Atlantic.

As digital technology became integral to the capitalist market dystopia of the first decades of the 21st century, it refashioned both our ways of working and our ways of consuming, as well as our ways of communicating. And as the Covid-19 pandemic coursed through the world's population, adding tens of billions of dollars to the profits of high-tech corporations, its impact revealed grotesque class and racial inequalities and the gross lack of public investment, planning and preparation which lay behind the scandalously slow and inadequate responses of so many states.

During the years between the publication of the first of his two major works, The Structure of Social Action (1937), and the writing of his second, The Social System (1951), Talcott Parsons was primarily engaged in political activity through the Office of Strategic Services in its efforts to bring about the defeat of the Third Reich and to set the stage for a democratic reconstruction of postwar Germany. Beyond Parsons' analytic skills the essays reveal a dedicated liberal scholar, far removed from the stereotypes with which he came to be pilloried by later critics. The essays in this collection are the by-products of that special period of intense commitment. They reflect a single dominant theme: National Socialist Germany is seen as a tragically flawed social system but one requiring the same rigorous analysis Parsons brought to more normal and normative systems. Since virulent authoritarianism and even more virulent anti-Semitism were the dominant traits of that system as he saw it, Parsons dedicated many pages to each aspect. While he did not know the full horror of the Nazi "war against the Jews" he was able to develop a theoretical framework that continues to be a foundation stone for the analysis of national socialism. Gerhardt's editorial labors in the Parsons archive at Harvard have yielded nothing less than a "new book" by the foremost American sociological theorist of his time. This collection of both published and unpublished writings conveys Parsons' cohesive intent. To these otherwise fugitive and neglected essays Gerhardt contributes an introductory essay of her own: in part biography, in part intellectual and social history. She discovered Parsons work on National Socialism while studying his sociology of the professions and his use of medical practice to demonstrate how social science could become an antidote for fascism and authoritarianism. Uta Gerhardt is director of the Medical Sociology Unit at Justus Liebig University, Giessen. She has taught sociology at the Free University of Berlin, the University of Konstanz, the University of California at Berkeley, the San Francisco Medical School, the University of London, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. The present volume comes out of her sabbatical year as Research Affiliate of the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, of Harvard University.

"The American Radical" tells the story of American democracy from the late 18th century to the present, through the lives of the women and men who have fought to advance it. The original biographical portraits presented in this collection show how, in every period of history, Americans from various backgrounds have stood as activists, authors and artists to challenge the powerful. The editors have assembled a group of writers on the radical tradition, who introduce the movements, ideas and struggles of the revolutionaries, rebels and reformers important to the American national experience; they include independence fighters, Labourists, suffragists, socialists, feminists, pacifists, environmentalists, and campaigners for social justice and the civil rights of the oppressed.

The Labour governments of 1945-51 are among the most important and controversial in modern British history, and have been the focus of extensive research over the last fifteen years. In this study, Robert Pearce makes the results of this research available in a concise and accessible form, whilst encouraging students to formulate their own interpretations. He looks at the main political personalities of the period, sets their work in the context of Labour history since 1900, and examines their domestic, foreign and imperial achievements.

This study describes and analyses the new social movements that have arisen in India over the past two decades, in particular the anti-caste movement (of both the untouchables and the lower-middle castes), the women's liberation movement, the farmers' movement (centred on struggles arising out of their integration into a state-controlled capitalist market), and the environmental movements (opposition to destructive development, including resistance to big dam projects and the search for alternatives). Rooted in participant observation, it focuses on the ideologies and self-understanding of the movements themselves. The central themes of this book are the origin of movements in the socio-economic contradictions of post-independence India; their effect on political developments, in particular the disintegration of Congress hegemony; their relation to "traditional Marxist" theory and Communist practice; and their groping toward a synthesis of theory and practice that constitutes a new social vision distinct from traditional Marxism.

This text documents the economic development of East Asian countries in order to highlight the beneficial techniques used to increase growth. Socialist and capitalist structures are discussed, complete with an analysis of the future extent of interaction between East Asian countries.

The collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe continues to have profound and far-reaching implications. In the former socialist states, immediate concerns are largely economic and, in particular, the move to privatization. However, these implications are not restricted to Europe. They have also had a powerful effect on those countries which continue as one-party states under some form of communist government. In "Revitalizing Socialist Enterprise", the authors place privatization in the wider context of restructuring governments, industries, enterprises and management. The book also examines the similarities and differences between former Eastern European socialist countries and those which are still socialist but, nevertheless, are also engaged in revitalization. The problems of these two groups are clearly inter-connected. While the need for change across most countries has a common origin - an inability to make the communist economic system work well - the "triggers" for major change have been varied. Divided into three parts, the book introduces the subject, and looks at the process in seven of the former socialist states of Eastern Europe and the CIS.

The essays in this volume trace an intellectual odyssey, a search for a genuinely critical theory. The book begins with the question of why the Frankfurt School as well as other neo-Marxist and post-Marxist analysts, both in the West and in dissident circles in the East, failed to produce a critical theory of Soviet socialism or to establish a dynamic relationship with contemporary social movements. As the political struggle in Eastern Europe intensified, the author of this book disengaged from his own efforts to reconstruct a critical Marxism. Instead, he attempts a reconstruction of democratic theory based on civil society rather than class categories, and with a critical relevance not only to the transition from state socialism but more generally to the universal goal of emancipation.

The 1992 Earth Summit clearly demonstrated the reluctance of Western capitalism to change the ideology and practices which perpetuate environmental degradation and social injustice. The green movement itself has largely lost direction whilst Marxism no longer appears a tenable solution to global inequality.
Beginning from the shared objective of Marxism, Anarchism and deep ecology, that people must control their own lives and their relationship with their environment, Eco-Socialism presents a broad and incisive analysis of how these differing approaches can be synthesized into a new radical green politics.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203423364

First published in 1993. This title is the product of a conference designed to throw light on some central questions about the phase of programmatic renewal from the 1950s to the then-present-day. The evidence presented in this volume pursues to demonstrate the existence of a European 'wave' of social democratic programmatic renewal effort during the 1980s, the sweep of which, the author argues, being broader than the previous renewal wave in the 1950s.

Central planning might be disappearing from large parts of what was the socialist world but viable economic systems are yet to emerge to take its place. Integrating these countries within the international economic system and developing market economies within them are likely to remain amongst the most pressing of economic problems for the forseeable future. "The Socialist Economies and the Transition to the Market" is unique in providing a detailed account of each of the individual socialist countries as well as an analysis of the various routes they might take to the market. Whilst some problems are common to all command economies, others are confined to particular countries. Consequently this unique work of reference includes chapters which outline the main feature of Soviet-type economies, foreign trade and its reform, and the various schemes which have been put forward for the transformation of these economies. But it also includes chapters on individual countries, ranging from Cuba and Albania to the Soviet Union and China.

First published in 1993. This title is the product of a conference designed to throw light on some central questions about the phase of programmatic renewal from the 1950s to the then-present-day. The evidence presented in this volume pursues to demonstrate the existence of a European 'wave' of social democratic programmatic renewal effort during the 1980s, the sweep of which, the author argues, being broader than the previous renewal wave in the 1950s.

The essays in this volume address the industrial, commercial, urban and regional reforms of China's planned economy during the 1980s. The emphasis is on the dominating institutional and bureaucratic presence of the state even as it sought to loosen the pre-1979 vertically structured centralised command system and to introduce some market principles to stimulate economic activity. The essays fall into four categories: theoretical and policy discussions and debates at the central leadership level; reform of the urban economy and of inter-regional relations; industrial and commercial reforms; and the rise and position of the new entrepreneurial class. Many of the essays draw on interviews with Chinese economic officials in the Central China city of Wuhan and therefore this is the only study that uses local data on actual operations of reforms from a Chinese city; the other sources are the Chinese press and Chinese official and scholarly journals. In each of the categories there are pieces from different points in the chronological process of reform. This study begins with the first theoretical discussions among China's economists and top political leaders in the late 1970s and concludes with experiments with bankruptcy and stock markets in the late 1980s. The countervailing heavy presence of the state at both the policy and the practical levels throughout the reform decade is its unifying theme.

Originally published in 1895, this title provides fascinating insights into the development of socialism in the decades prior to the explosion of 20th century socialist revolutions. Kaufmann examines the influences of Christian ideas and European society on socialism to give a fuller picture of the movement at the turn of the century as well as offers his predictions for the future of socialism in Europe. This title is ideal for students of sociology and history, particularly students interested in the development of modern intellectual movements.

With close reference to a range of Shaw's texts - Fabian tracts to the plays and prefaces - Gareth Griffiths draws out the central theoretical messages of the master intellectual's epic engagement with politics. Shaw's intentions, his methods and the levels of abstraction of his thought are related by Griffiths both to his writings and to the dominant questions and movements of the day.
Part One is an intellectual biography and an account of Shaw's key concerns and of his Fabianism. Part Two looks at areas approached by him as long-standing historical dramas that demanded immediate action, and includes a challenging exposition of his attitude to women in his writings, in society and in contemporary politics.


eBook available with sample pages: 0203210832

The work of Raymond Williams has inspired radical intellectuals engaged in cultural politics and influenced many academic disciplines across the social sciences and humanities. This book examines the assumptions and limitations of Williams's political vision and commitments. In the spirit of appreciative criticism, this international collection of essays analyzes the neglected yet central tensions in Williams's thought. The contributors explore the implications of his work for a wide range of disciplines including education, cultural studies, history, literature, mass communication, and drama. The first section, "Culture is Ordinary" examines Williams's deconstruction of the false division between what he considers "common culture" and a "whole way of life". The second part, "Education From Below", explores Williams's conception of meaningful democratic participation in cultural institutions such as schools, taking into account the dilemmas that Leftist and feminist educators experience in the varied national and regional contexts of neo-conservatism. The final section is entitled "Culture's Others: Culture or Cultural Imperialism".

This unique volume explores Europe's most dangerous communist terrorist organizations and reveals how they use violence as a means of political communication and persuasion. It outlines seven terrorist groups from Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Belgium, Italy and Turkey and gives their modus operandi, rationale and political messages in translated communiquA(c)s never before available in English.

The Social Democratic party family is a central part of political life in the West. This book focuses on this party family as well as a unique political force in the industrialised world. It provides a critical comparative survey of when, where, how and why Social Democracy developed within established capitalist democracies. The book explains the electoral fortunes of Social Democratic parties, the influence of the party system dynamics and co-operation between parties in government. It examines the ideological tensions within Social Democratic parties between socialists and reformists and its ramifications for pursuing a 'better and kinder' world. This study also discusses the recent state of affairs and its mission in the 21st century. The book features a comparative analysis of 21 cases from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the United States. It will be of key interest to students and scholars of public policy, comparative politics, party politics and democracy studies.

This unique volume explores Europe's most dangerous communist terrorist organizations and reveals how they use violence as a means of political communication and persuasion. It outlines seven terrorist groups from Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Belgium, Italy and Turkey and gives their modus operandi, rationale and political messages in translated communiquA(c)s never before available in English.

Socialist Register 2013 seeks to explore and clarify strategy for the Left, in the light of new challenges, and new opportunities. Socialists today have to confront two realities - that they cannot avoid the question of reforms and a gradualist path out of capitalism; and that the organizational vehicles for socialism will most likely have to abide by different structures and principles than those that dominated left politics in the 20th century. Though solutions are not obvious, Socialist Register 2013 will interrogate these dilemmas and will the critique of some unhelpful radical thinking that obstructs the reconsideration of socialist strategy for the 21st century. * How have the occupations of public squares around the world changed the political scene? * What are the most useful forms of political organization in the new conjuncture? * Which features of past organizational models should be retained? And which discarded? * How can working class organizations be revitalized and changed so as to develop socialist political capacities?

A timely reference guide to the Labour Party which brings together the essential facts and figures about the Party since its foundation through to the 'New Labour' of the 1990's. It is the essential reference book for anyone wanting reliable information on the Labour Party.

Democratization has been spreading rapidly since the 1980's, breaking barriers, and gaining a foothold in new territories, although not with equal success in all parts of the world. This book examines the strategies used in the struggle for democracy and problems of democratization in different parts of the world. The examination is based on the idea that conscious choices of people and their leaders matter and that better knowledge of successful and unsuccessful strategies might help people to adopt more rational strategies in the struggle for democracy. Comparatively examining over 8 states including South Korea, Nigeria, Hungary, the Soviet Union and China, the contributors are prescriptive rather than descriptive in suggesting methods of achieving democratization.

This text brings together studies in various aspects of the theory of the capitalist economy. It focuses on major themes of the Marxist tradition that postulate the existence and importance of social relations and structures underlying the esoteric realm of economic categories: prices, profits, wages, etc. The author takes a reappraising, critical look at the concepts of the deep structure - value, explitation, immanent crisis - using the analytical tools of modern economics to improve those concepts. The book is divided into four parts. Part 1 explores the essential nature of capitalism, re-examining problems in the theory of value and exploitation. Part 2 tackles the issue of capitalism-specific paths of growth and technical change, putting forward a rigorous theory of biased technical change and non-steady-state growth. Part 3 examines the cyclical character of capitalist growth and the theory of crises. Finally, Part 4 places capitalism in the wider framework of modes of production, considering the theory of precapitalist formations and aspects of the theory and practical experience of socialism. The guiding theme is the combination, or confrontation, of rigorous, quantitative analytical techniques with equally demanding qualitative and political-economic conceptualization. The book's premise is that this interface is essential to a progressive yet distinctively Marxist social theory.

This text brings together studies in various aspects of the theory of the capitalist economy. It focuses on major themes of the Marxist tradition that postulate the existence and importance of social relations and structures underlying the esoteric realm of economic categories: prices, profits, wages, etc. The author takes a reappraising, critical look at the concepts of the deep structure - value, explitation, immanent crisis - using the analytical tools of modern economics to improve those concepts. The book is divided into four parts. Part 1 explores the essential nature of capitalism, re-examining problems in the theory of value and exploitation. Part 2 tackles the issue of capitalism-specific paths of growth and technical change, putting forward a rigorous theory of biased technical change and non-steady-state growth. Part 3 examines the cyclical character of capitalist growth and the theory of crises. Finally, Part 4 places capitalism in the wider framework of modes of production, considering the theory of precapitalist formations and aspects of the theory and practical experience of socialism. The guiding theme is the combination, or confrontation, of rigorous, quantitative analytical techniques with equally demanding qualitative and political-economic conceptualization. The book's premise is that this interface is essential to a progressive yet distinctively Marxist social theory.