Synopses & Reviews
While the romantic notions of social and economic equality once espoused by the socialist movement have been overshadowed by the realities of government power, bureaucractic inefficiency, and class divisions, Glassman claims that the quest for equality and social justice can and must be pursued within legal-democratic societies. He contends that the quest for equality within the democratic framework is politically, economically, morally, and socially beneficial. Using the theoretical principles of Aristotle, Rawls, and Keynes, Glassman demonstrates that the development of practical programs can allow an expansion of the middle class and a greater degree of equality within capitalist democratic societies.
Along with these three non-socialist theories for equality, the book analyzes some contemporary democratic-socialist programs that have been developed for the same objective. All the proposed programs throughout this book emphatically establish democracy as an essential factor and then work toward achieving greater equality within the parameters set by the legal-democratic state. Democracy and Equality will prove invaluable to anyone interested in social theory, the principles of equality, and political and economic developement of the industrial state.
Review
Thoughtfully and brilliantly, Ron Glassman examines the historical and intellectual roots of our democratic tradition. While politicians too often confuse patriotism with pandering, Glassman performs the essential public service illuminating why equality and democracy are (a) not four letter words, and (b) the cornerstone of a better America.Mark Green President of the Democracy Project, nominee for the U.S. Senate in New York, 1986
Review
Democracy and Equality puts forward a powerful critique of conservative ideology and marshals a strong argument for the very American idea that to preserve democracy we must use democracy to prevent great extremes of poverty and wealth.Jeff Faux, Economic Policy Institute
Synopsis
While the romantic notions of social and economic equality once espoused by the socialist movement have been overshadowed by the realities of government power, bureaucractic inefficiency, and class divisions, Glassman claims that the quest for equality and social justice can and must be pursued within legal-democratic societies. He contends that the quest for equality within the democratic framework is politically, economically, morally, and socially beneficial. Using the theoretical principles of Aristotle, Rawls, and Keynes, Glassman demonstrates that the development of practical programs can allow an expansion of the middle class and a greater degree of equality within capitalist democratic societies. Along with these three non-socialist theories for equality, the book analyzes some contemporary democratic-socialist programs that have been developed for the same objective. All the proposed programs throughout this book emphatically establish democracy as an essential factor and then work toward achieving greater equality within the parameters set by the legal-democratic state. Democracy and Equality will prove invaluable to anyone interested in social theory, the principles of equality, and political and economic developement of the industrial state.
About the Author
RONALD M. GLASSMAN is currently executive director of New York City Americans for Democratic Action and has been actively involved in many political campaigns.
Table of Contents
Part I: Nonsocialist Theories of Equality
Introduction: The Death of Socialism and its Ramifications
Aristotle: Democracy, Equality, and the Majority Middle Class
Rawls: The State of Nature and Social Justice
Keynes: Capitalism with Stability and Equality
Part II: Objections to Theories of Equality
de Tocqueville, Weber, and Hayek: The Dangers of Socialism
The Neoconservatives: Against Government Programs
Part III: Toward a Comprehensive Theory of Equality within a Framework of Law and Democracy
The Polity: Classical Liberalism as an Incomplete Political Theory
The Economy: Modified Capitalism as the Model Economy for the Modern World
Ethics: Isaiah and Adam Smith
Bibliography
Index