David Schweickart

Socialism, Democracy, Market, Planning: Putting the Pieces Together

We should not think of market socialism as an oxymoron, nor as an unstable hybrid. The appropriate framework for thinking about current versions of market socialism is a model of an optimally viable, desirable, democratic socialism. This paper proposes such a model, one that incorporates workplace democracy, a modified free market and democratic control of investment. It elaborates at some length the latter feature, defends the model against criticisms deriving from the Yugoslav experience, then employs the model to elucidate the issue of productive asset ownership under socialism.

Market Socialist Capitalist Roaders: A Comment on Arnold

Scott Arnolds recent paper, “Marx and Market Socialism,” advances a provocative thesis: market socialists are advocating an economic system that has a strong, internally generated tendency to revert to capitalism. They are, in short, “capitalist roaders” (Arnold, 1987).

An Economic Democracy Reform Agenda

AbstractIn this article I summarize the basic features of Economic Democracy, a viable alternative to capitalism that is strongly preferable on ethical grounds, then explain in some detail a set of twelve reforms, suggested by the model, that could be implemented within the framework of capitalism, but would move us in the direction of a much better political and economic order.

Dr. Pangloss goes to market

Abstract David Ramsay Steeles From Marx to Mises argues correctly that the standard account of the economic calculation debate is a misrepresentation. Mises and Hayek were not bested by Lange and Taylor. However, it is not true, as Steele claims, that socialists have yet to face the Misesian challenge, nor that the debate over socialist calculation sheds much light on the recent collapse of communism. Steeles critiques of market socialism and worker self‐management and his treatment of Marx are, moreover, deficient, as a consequence of his “Libertarian Panglossism.” Tout est an mieux . . . dans ce meilleur des mondes possibles.

China: Socialist or Capitalist?

Viewing contemporary China from the perspective of Economic Democracy, a stylized model of market socialism featuring workplace democracy, social control of investment and an entrepreneurial capitalist sector, I argue that China is not capitalist, and will not likely “go capitalist.”

Yes Virginia, There Is an Alternative

This article assesses the current economic crisis, why it is happening, its implications for the US role in the world and international relations, and what can and must be done to address the situation.