Socialism: Past and Future - Softcover

Harrington, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1611453356 ISBN 13: 9781611453355

Publisher: Arcade, 2011

Synopsis

This is the definitive text on the role of socialism throughout history which Publishers Weekly calls “succinct, readable” and the New York Times says “has a lively air of optimism and boldly challenges traditional ideas.”

On learning his cancer was inoperable, renowned intellectual Michael Harrington simply asked the doctors to keep him alive long enough “to complete a summary statement of the themes I had thought of throughout an activist life.” And they did.

Socialism: Past and Future is prominent thinker Michael Harrington’s final contribution: a thoughtful, intelligent, and compassionate treatise on the role of socialism both past and present in modern society. He is convincing in his application of classic socialist theory to current economic situations and modern political systems, and he examines the validity of the idea of “visionary gradualism” in bringing about a socialist agenda. He believes that if freedom and justice are to survive into the next century, the socialist movement will be a critical factor.

Harrington draws on a lifetime of thinking and politicking to reject much that has passed for socialism and to define the new forms that will make it the only “hope for human freedom and justice” (Foreign Affairs) in the twenty-first century.

About this title

About the Author:

Michael Harrington was an American democratic socialist, bestselling writer, political activist, professor of political science, NPR commentator, atheist, and founder of the Democratic Socialists of America. He is also credited with coining the term “neoconservatism” in the 1970s. A major figure of the American left, Harrington is the author of eighteen books including The Other America: Poverty in the United States, The Social-Industrial Complex, The Twilight of Capitalism, and his autobiography The Long Distance Runner. He passed away in 1989.

From Library Journal:

As this may be Harrington's last major work (he is battling inoperable cancer), it is worthy of careful attention even though it covers some familiar territory. It is both a condensation of and a sequel to his massive theoretical study Socialism ( LJ 6/1/72), and it also refines and supports arguments put forth in writings such as Toward a Democratic Left ( LJ 3/15/68) and The Next Left ( LJ 1/15/84). He argues that socialist renewal is the only hope for progress and freedom in the next century and he tries to clear away the "deadwood of the socialist past." He is convincing in his application of classic socialist theory to current economic situations, and he examines the validity of the idea of "visionary gradualism" in bringing about a socialist agenda. Recommended for all academic libraries.
- Thomas A. Karel, Franklin & Marshall Coll. Lib., Lancaster, Pa.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Arcade
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1611453356
• ISBN 13: 9781611453355
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336