Economic Democracy, Not Austerity or Keynesian "Growth"

[Capt Bringdown]

Economic Democracy, Not Austerity or Keynesian "Growth" (http://truth-out.org/news/item/9026-austerity-vs-keynesian-growth-vs-economic-democracy)
Richard Wolff

The "great" debate between neoclassical and Keynesian economists is neither great nor much of a debate. Both sides endorse, celebrate and defend capitalism. Their "debate" - between Plans B and A, more or less government intervention to sustain capitalism - periodically revives as a substitute for seriously engaging with critical economic theories, anti-capitalist social movements and their demands for economic democracy. The debate between austerity and growth policies is a sideshow for the main event: capitalism's weakening battles with its own contradictions and with looming demands for transition beyond capitalism to economic democracy.

- more - (http://truth-out.org/news/item/9026-austerity-vs-keynesian-growth-vs-economic-democracy)

[Winehole23]

what's economic democracy? the article doesn't say.

[MannyIsGod]

I got a whole lot of nothing from that article.

[boutons_deux]

what's economic democracy? the article doesn't say.

yep, sort of a key concept left undefined.

[Winehole23]

socializing the means of production?

[boutons_deux]

social democracy is diversely operating in Europe.

It does not include takeover of private enterprise, although France's socialists did nationalize French banks when Mitterand was elected in 1981 (after the socialists were out of power for 26 years).

The financial sector and capitalists have fucked it up, like they have in USA.

[Winehole23]

social democracy is diversely operating in Europe that's a better way to put it :tu

[Capt Bringdown]

what's economic democracy? the article doesn't say.

Agreed. Disappointing, and a failure of the article perhaps, considering the author has extensive record on the subject. For those interested:
http://www.rdwolff.com/


socializing the means of production?

One option, among others, modern monetary theory, worker-owned enterprises, work place democracy, etc. But "There is no alternative" seems to enough for most, and that's a pity IMO.