Back to the Future of Socialism: International Comparisons

by Peter Hain

What's gone wrong with capitalism and how should governments respond? Did Big Government or Big Banking cause the global financial crisis? Is the answer austerity or investment in growth; untrammelled market forces or regulating for the common good? Anthony Crosland’s The Future of Socialism (1956) provided a creed for governments of the centre left until the global banking crisis. Now Peter Hain, with over 50 years’ experience in politics, revisits this classic text and presents a stimulating political prospectus for today. Hain argues that capitalism is now more financially unstable and unfair, productive but prone to paralysis, dynamic but discriminatory. A rousing alternative to the neoliberal, right-wing orthodoxy of our era, Hain’s new book should be read by everyone interested in the future of the left.

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 26, 2015

Reviews

[Alistair Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a somewhat dry and overlong book. The basic argument which this book boils down to is Labour good, Conservatives bad.
It's really that simple, Socialism is the answer and in the authors dry and authoritative style you start to believe that it is. Then you remember the mess Labour actually make in power, the honourable exception of the Blair years apart, the alternative isn't any better mark you but whatever the question is this book isn't the answer.
Avoid.

[Daniel Clemence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Hain gives a general account as to policies that would improve social democracy and socialist policies in the 21st century. An interesting book; I particularly liked his policies on job training in which he looked at Germany for inspiration. Useful for social democrats to read from but I don't know if general readers will like it.

[Adam Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a perfect example why democratic socialist politics often fail. All their work is undone almost immediately by capitalist/ neo-liberal parties.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

"As long as full-time work is so badly paid in so many parts of Britain that it falls beneath certain welfare thresholds, then the case for removing those benefits cannot be made in good faith."

I was going to give this four stars but oh my word it drags on. Just like a politician, eh.
So I already resigned myself to the pro-Labour stance of the book before I started reading it but I was still feeling like I was swamped in Reasons Why Labour Should Be In Power. At least Hain does retain some ability to criticise his own party at reasonable points. Might have to be on the look out for them though, he has an axe to grind about the other end of the political spectrum - again, this is to be expected.
The book itself lays out a comprehensive and detailed discussion of where things Have Fucked Up and How We Can Fix Them. Also Hain discusses various ways in which Labour has fallen off the Wonderful Path set out by Tony Crosland and how to rejoin that path. If you're not already totally interested in politics but was still curious about this book I'll tell you to read the conclusion.