Market Socialism: The Debate Among Socialists

by Bertell Ollman (Editor), David Schweickart (Contributor), James Lawler (Contributor)

Aside from Post Modernism, probably the hottest topic today among socialist scholars world-wide is Market Socialism. What exactly is Market Socialism? Which of our current problems would it solve, which leave untouched? How would it come about? What is its relation to capitalism? How does it compare with more traditional visions of socialism? What do other socialists find lacking in it, and what do they propose instead?
In the present volume, four leading socialist scholars, who have been deeply involved in this debate - two for, two against - give their answers to these questions.

Genres: Politics, Economics, Philosophy

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Bertell Ollman is a professor of politics at New York University. He teaches both dialectical methodology and socialist theory. He is the author of several academic works relating to Marxist theory.
Ollman is also the creator of Class Struggle, a board game based around his Marxist beliefs, and from 1978-1983 was president of Class Struggle, Inc., the company that initially produced and marketed the game. The game was later released by a major board game company, Avalon Hill. It received publicity due to its unusual and controversial theme.

Reviews

[Bhaskar Sunkara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Super uneven, but some good things buried in here. David Schweickart gives a good summary of his ideas. Hillel Ticktin doesn't engage with any of it and writes a truly bizarre response. Bertell Ollman's contributions on the topic are less interesting but he does write a very engaging take on market mystification from a Marxist-Humanist perspective too....

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Goodreads, Schweickart should not be credited for this book. Ollman was the editor. :P

Anyway, I liked this book. With four contributors it still captured a good diversity of ideas on the market socialism debate. I think all authors were able to agree on one important point that anyone who ascribes to any socialism should accept, it (may) be a better system but it's not utopia, any system will have it's trade-offs.

[Nate Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little uneven, but has some good stuff. The first essays really set up a practical, realistic vision of socialism in light of our world.