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.
Table of Content
Preface vi
Acknowledgements xi
1 From a Defensive to an Assertive Social Democracy 1
2 We Are All (Partly) Neoliberals Now 23
3 Marketization and Market Inadequacies 49
4 Capitalism and the Welfare State 63
5 The Welfare State of Assertive Social Democracy 91
6 Confronting Threats and Enemies 113
7 Social Democracy as the Highest Form of Liberalism 134
8 What About the Party? 163
9 A Feasible Prospectus? 175
Index 193
About the author
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.
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