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The Constitution of Socialism
A World without Capital
Series: - Historical Materialism Book Series, Volume: 353
Author:
To revive the fortunes of socialism, the articulation of a credible and attractive alternative is absolutely essential. Offering an original synthesis of socialism and republicanism, The Constitution of Socialism discusses how society can move beyond capitalism. It outlines an institutional and political framework for a socialist future, in which collective decision-making about the use and allocation of resources directly responds to social interests. By means of institutional design, this study explores the feasibility criteria of post-capitalism and sketches the contours and features of a viable model of socialism.
Tim Platenkamp obtained his master's degree from the University of Amsterdam in 2020, specializing in political theory. He is currently employed as a trade unionist.
Preface
Acknowledgements
Glossary
1 Introduction
â1âThe Crisis of Socialism â Goodbye Lenin!
â2âOverview
2 Socialism in Theory â Promise and Possibilities
â1âThe Communist Mode of Production and Distribution
â2âEconomic Calculation under Socialism
3 Socialism in Practice â The Soviet Model
â1âThe Experience of War Communism
â2âGeneral Features of Soviet Planning
â3âMaterial Balances
â4âThe System of Norms
â5âReforming the System â From Optimism to Cynicism
âAddendum: Sharing in the Illusion â On the Question of State-Capitalism
4 Socialism in Practice â The Yugoslav Model
â1âLaying the Groundwork
â2âToward Self-Governing Socialism
â3âBottom-Up Planning and Collapse
5 Socialism in Theory, Again
â1âBack to the Drawing Board
â2âThe Community of Citizens
â3âContradictions of Market and Plan â The Menu of Options
â4âNegotiated Co-ordination and Allocation
â5âParticipatory Planning of Production and Consumption
â6âBig Computer and Labour Time
â7âMultilevel Programming
6 Governance in the Socialist Republic
â1âSocialist Constitutionalism and the Social Contract
â2âPolitical Institutions and Practices of Self-Government
â3âThe Role of Central Planning
âAddendum 1: A Note on Public Safety, Crime, and National Defence
âAddendum 2: A Note on Organised Political Activity Under Socialism
7 Production in the Socialist Republic
â1âPublic Property and Public Domination
â2âThree Public Sectors
â3âSelf-Government in Industry â Workersâ Councils
8 General Planning and Parametric Control
â1âCost Accounting â âkhozraschetâ
â2âPlanning, Prices, Allocation
â3âCo-ordination, Investment, Uncertainty
â4âLabour Incentives
â5âThe Dynamics of Growth
âAddendum: On the Possibilities for Progressive Socialisation
9 Postscript
â1âClosing Remarks
â2âWhat I Hope to Have Imparted to the Reader
â3âMoving Forward Along the Long and Winding Road
References
Index
Acknowledgements
Glossary
1 Introduction
â1âThe Crisis of Socialism â Goodbye Lenin!
â2âOverview
Part 1 Diagnosis
2 Socialism in Theory â Promise and Possibilities
â1âThe Communist Mode of Production and Distribution
â2âEconomic Calculation under Socialism
3 Socialism in Practice â The Soviet Model
â1âThe Experience of War Communism
â2âGeneral Features of Soviet Planning
â3âMaterial Balances
â4âThe System of Norms
â5âReforming the System â From Optimism to Cynicism
âAddendum: Sharing in the Illusion â On the Question of State-Capitalism
4 Socialism in Practice â The Yugoslav Model
â1âLaying the Groundwork
â2âToward Self-Governing Socialism
â3âBottom-Up Planning and Collapse
5 Socialism in Theory, Again
â1âBack to the Drawing Board
â2âThe Community of Citizens
â3âContradictions of Market and Plan â The Menu of Options
â4âNegotiated Co-ordination and Allocation
â5âParticipatory Planning of Production and Consumption
â6âBig Computer and Labour Time
â7âMultilevel Programming
Part 2 Remedy
6 Governance in the Socialist Republic
â1âSocialist Constitutionalism and the Social Contract
â2âPolitical Institutions and Practices of Self-Government
â3âThe Role of Central Planning
âAddendum 1: A Note on Public Safety, Crime, and National Defence
âAddendum 2: A Note on Organised Political Activity Under Socialism
7 Production in the Socialist Republic
â1âPublic Property and Public Domination
â2âThree Public Sectors
â3âSelf-Government in Industry â Workersâ Councils
8 General Planning and Parametric Control
â1âCost Accounting â âkhozraschetâ
â2âPlanning, Prices, Allocation
â3âCo-ordination, Investment, Uncertainty
â4âLabour Incentives
â5âThe Dynamics of Growth
âAddendum: On the Possibilities for Progressive Socialisation
Part 3 Conclusions
9 Postscript
â1âClosing Remarks
â2âWhat I Hope to Have Imparted to the Reader
â3âMoving Forward Along the Long and Winding Road
References
Index
This book is particularly relevant for students and scholars interested in the political theory of civic republicanism and the political economy of socialism.