Imagine: A Socialist Vision for the 21st Century

by Tommy Sheridan, Alan McCombes

In this work, free from jargon and dogma, Tommy Sheridan MSP and Alan McCombes map out their political, social and cultural vision for Scotland and beyond in the 21st century. Examining the advances that have been made in all walks of life during the 20th century - in such diverse fields as science, health, manufacturing, food production, education, information technology and telecommunications, as well as culturally - the authors have concluded that the free market economic system is unable to utilize these advancements for the greater good of society, and worse, has been unable to tackle even the most basic world problems of hunger, poverty, homelessness and war. Their conclusions are ominous for the champions of profit and greed but offer hope to all those who can foresee the major economic, environmental, and social catastrophes which inevitably lie ahead if global capitalism is left unchallenged.

Genres: Politics

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 11, 2000

About the author

Scottish Trotskyist nationalist.

Sheridan was active in Labour as a Trotskyist entryist until he was expelled in 1989.

After that he joined Scottish Militant Labour which later became the Scottish Socialist Party.

He was a prominent campaigner against the Community Charge in Scotland.

In 1991 he was jailed for 6 months for being present at a warrant sale. In 2000 and 2002, Sheridan was jailed over the non-payment of fines levied in connection with a breach of the peace committed at demonstrations against the presence of the nuclear fleet at the Faslane Naval Base.

In 2006 he split from the SSP and founded the Solidarity Party.

Reviews

[Gallagher McKendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the book references are dated, such as talking of a revolutionary minimum wage of £7p/h the ideals are just as relevant today as they were in the 90s. Throughout the book an image is painted of a fair and equal Scotland. It is incredibly clear and compelling, I’m yet to read a better argument for socialism.