Gar Alperovitz: Everyday Socialism, American-Style, Is Happening Now

[marmar]

Everyday Socialism, American-Style, Is Happening Now

Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:44
By Gar Alperovitz, Chelsea Green Publishing | Book Excerpt

Gar Alperovitz is the Lionel R. Bauman Professor of Political Economy at the University of Maryland. He is best known for articles, books and speeches about the development of an alternative cooperative/publicly owned segment of the economy in the United States.

Alperovitz's latest book is What Then Must We Do? Straight Talk About the Next American Revolution.

"Gar Alperovitz's new book develops a brilliant strategy for the type of transformative change that can lead America from decline to rebirth," writes James Gustave Speth, author of America the Possible.

Chapter 11 of What Then Must We Do?

One more obvious step, for the moment, in connection with real-world democratization (and maybe also about what can be done if you want to start getting serious).

I assume you are aware that socialism—real socialism, not the fuzzy kind conservatives try to pin on Barack Obama—is as common as grass (well, maybe not that common, but still very common indeed) in the United States.

I'm not talking about the public programs that come to many minds when socialism is discussed in an American context. These programs often help people in need and do many other useful things, but they don't attempt to change the underlying systemic design and the political power it confers on corporate actors.

I'm talking about the (efficient) government ownership of businesses, some set up in the past and still working very nicely, thank you, and many new efforts now also flourishing big-time. ....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://truth-out.org/news/item/16353-everyday-socialism-american-style-is-happening-now

[LongTomH]

1. K&R & Bookmarking