Democracy at Work: A Cure for Capitalism

Richard Wolff

Oct 2012 · Haymarket Books

About this ebook

What, and who, are we working for? A thoughtful assessment on our current society from “probably America’s most prominent Marxist economist” (The New York Times).

Capitalism as a system has spawned deepening economic crisis alongside its bought-and-paid-for political establishment. Neither serves the needs of our society. Whether it is secure, well-paid, and meaningful jobs or a sustainable relationship with the natural environment that we depend on, our society is not delivering the results people need and deserve.

One key cause for this intolerable state of affairs is the lack of genuine democracy in our economy as well as in our politics. The solution requires the institution of genuine economic democracy, starting with workers managing their own workplaces, as the basis for a genuine political democracy.

Here Richard D. Wolff lays out a hopeful and concrete vision of how to make that possible, addressing the many people who have concluded economic inequality and politics as usual can no longer be tolerated and are looking for a concrete program of action.

“Wolff’s constructive and innovative ideas suggest new and promising foundations for much more authentic democracy and sustainable and equitable development, ideas that can be implemented directly and carried forward. A very valuable contribution in troubled times.” —Noam Chomsky, leading public intellectual and author of Hope and Prospects

Ratings and reviews

I found the book pretty interesting at first the concepts Dr Wolff presented. However about midway through the book it started getting repetitive repeating the same arguments that Dr Wolff has made many times. If you've never heard or read Dr wolff's work you will probably find it very interesting. However those already familiar with his work this book is the same old same old.

This was an eye-opener for me. After reading many progressive economic works, I think this one offers both a theory and practical solution to reverse social inequality.

This book has given focus to my general dissatisfaction with the system, Richard Wolff shows us where and how we can change our world. Concrete while still giving plenty of fertile ground for further thought, must read for those of us who think things must change!

About the author

Richard D. Wolff is a American economist, well-known for his work on Marxist economics, economic methodology and class analysis.Wolff received his Ph.D. in economics from Yale University in 1969. Wolff taught at the City College of New York from 1969-1973, and teaches graduate seminars and undergraduate courses and direct dissertation research in economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.He has authored numerous articles and books and has given many public lectures at colleges and universities (Notre Dame, University of Missouri, Washington College, Franklin and Marshall College, New York University, etc.) to community and trade union meetings, in high schools, etc. He also maintains an extensive schedule of media interviews (on many independent radio stations such as KPFA in Berkeley, KPFK in Los Angeles, WBAI in New York, National Public Radio stations, the Real News Network, the Glenn Beck Show, and so on).