SOCIAL STRUCTURES OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY
Social Structures of Direct Democracy: On the Political Economy of Equality
By John Asimakopoulos
Hardcover ISBN: 9789004262720 E-ISBN: 9789004262751
Dear All and especially LIBRARIANS,
Please consider asking your academic library to obtain a copy of my new book published by Brill or get your personal copy. Any help in announcing the book through online social networks, listservs, and blogs is greatly appreciated. Gratitude to all! Sincerely, John
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“Ambitious in scope, timely in content, and rigorous in argumentation and analysis, John Asimakopoulos’ Social Structures of Direct Democracy promises to make a significant and lasting contribution to contemporary discussions in democratic theory and political economy. By combining the utopian ethical ideal of the libertarian socialist tradition with the technical precision and analytic cohesiveness of Marxism and classical political economy, Asimakopoulos offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the present and future of democracy, both political and economic, around the globe. The book deserves praise for its interdisciplinary breadth and critical depth.” —Nathan Jun, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Midwestern State University
“Social Structures of Direct Democracy is a lucid and powerful analysis of the threat that inequality poses to any viable democracy while also providing a brilliant analysis of the mechanisms that make it so savage and unsustainable. But the book provides more than a critique of inequality, it also offers a stirring program for change at a time when democracy is under dire siege. A must read for anyone concerned about the fate of democracy in the United States.” —Henry Giroux, Center for Research in the Public Interest, McMaster University
“Social Structures of Direct Democracy will undoubtedly make an impressive and timely contribution to the literature. The excellent structure, original focus and critical content will ensure that the book enjoys a broad appeal across a range of academic disciplines, at all levels. Indeed, anyone with an interest in (engaging with) new, wonderfully alternative responses to address the current political and economic crisis should buy this book now!” —Richard J White, Senior Lecturer in Economic Geography, Sheffield Hallam University, UK
ABOUT THE BOOK: Neoliberalism has pushed capitalism to its limits hollowing out global economies and lives in the process while people have no voice. John Asimakopoulos addresses the problem with a theory to practice model that reconciles Marxism with diverse radical currents and democratic theory. Social Structures of Direct Democracy develops a political economy of structural equality in large-scale society making strong empirical arguments for radical transformation. Key concepts include filling positions of political and economic authority e.g., legislatures and corporate boards, with randomly selected citizens leaving the demos as the executive; a common wage combined with markets and currency. Asimakopoulos shows that an egalitarian society leads to greater innovation and sustainable economic growth with positive social benefits in contrast to economies based on individualism, competition, and inequality.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Asimakopoulos, is Full Professor of Sociology at the City University of New York and executive director of the Transformative Studies Institute (TSI), an educational think tank. He has advanced degrees in and has taught sociology, political science, and economics resulting in a unique interdisciplinary perspective. His students include undergraduates and graduates from diverse ethnic, economic, and educational backgrounds who honor him for over 20 years with the highest teaching evaluations. His research is focused on social movements, critical theory, and international political economy. Asimakopoulos is author of Revolt! (2011) The Accumulation of Freedom (2012), many journal articles, and is editor in chief of Theory in Action, an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal.
For interviews and presentations contact the author at: jasimakopoulos@transformativestudies.org
CONTENTS
Foreword
Mark Zepezauer
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Theory, Praxis, and Change
The Ragged Edge of Anarchy: Direct Democracy
Mutualism
Collectivism
Communist Anarchism
Conflict Theory
Why Capitalism Must Always Collapse
The Relationship between Change and Radicalism
Structural Limitations to Change
Insurrection versus Revolution
A Case Study in Political Revolution: Egypt
Does Direct Democracy Require Small-scale Societies?
McDonald’s Iron Cage
2 Relations of Authority
The Fraud of Representative Democracy
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy
Stealing Democracy Old School
Political Parties
A Path to Direct Democracy
Economic Authority
Political Authority
Constitution
3 Material Relations
Economic Utilities of Direct Democracy
Markets and Prices
Currency, Income, Banking, and Credit
Profit and Worker-owned Firms
Authority over Productive Property
Innovation and Small Business
Relations of Consumption
Income Distribution
Regulated Labor Markets: Hiring Halls
Distribution of Productive Property
Resource Use
What to Produce
How to Produce
Can the System Adapt?
4 Social Structure
Culture and Social Integration
Organizing Principles of Social Structure
Social Statuses
Social Roles
Virtual Worlds
Institutions and Socialization
Religion
Family and Sexuality
Education
The Means of Violence
Compulsion and Discipline
Journalism
The Social Network: The Future that Can be Now
Conclusion: No Islands of Egalitarianism in a Sea of Inequality
Afterword: What Can Grow in the Graveyard for Orthodoxies?
Richard Gilman-Opalsky
Bibliography
Index
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