In the first two chapters of this book, I outlined utopias, future whole-society ones like communism and current, more micro within-society ones, economic and social. These utopias have socialist dimensions and involve collective ownership or control. In this chapter and the next two, I will concentrate on, and investigate in more detail, key themes from that discussion: utopianism, socialism, and economic democracy. In this chapter, I will focus on utopianism, especially on criticisms of it from Marxist and liberal points of view. Utopianism aims for somewhere
their families in dormitories attached to the school. He argued that every means possible should be taken to prevent children from acquiring bad habits from their parents. Ideally, their education would focus on such habits and dispositions as may be most conducive to their happiness throughout life, as well as render them useful and valuable members of the community to which they belonged. Owen claimed that a rational and peaceful utopian society could eventually be brought about by taking control of the nurture of children. He believed that it would become
15 1 Market society utopianism in penal politics Mary Corcoran Introduction All along the line, human society had become an accessory of the economic system. (Polanyi, 1945: 75) This chapter outlines the utopian intellectual project of contemporary free market thought and politics (what is generally referred to as ‘new liberalism’ or ‘neo-liberalism’) from its origins as an outsider critique of the post-war social democratic settlement to its triumph in the wake of economic and political crisis from the 1970s onwards. The discussion initially draws on some
101 Policy & Politics vol 39 no 1 • 101–14 (2011) • 10.1332/030557311X546343 The perils of basic income: ambiguous opportunities for the implementation of a utopian proposal Bill Jordan The oft-repeated accusation of utopianism against basic income advocates is contradicted by evidence that aspects of this proposal may be entering the social policy mainstream. But – as in every sphere of public policy – the measures proposed are compromised with other longstanding principles. Using the example of the tax-benefit reforms scheduled to be introduced in the
In a time of great gloom and doom internationally and of major global problems, this book offers an invaluable contribution to our understanding of alternative societies that could be better for humans and the environment.
Bringing together a wide range of approaches and new strands of economic and social thinking from across the US, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa, Luke Martell critically assesses contemporary alternatives and shows the ways forward with a convincing argument of pluralist socialism.
Presenting a much-needed introduction to the debate on alternatives to capitalism, this ambitious book is not about how things are, but how they can be!
151 nine Informal education in compulsory schooling in the UK: humanising moments, utopian spaces? Isabel Cartwright Introduction Western approaches to education typically focus on formal education, characterised by a structured curriculum, formal setting and compulsory attendance. Yet much of what we learn happens more informally. It has been shown that informal learning can help increase individuals’ self-confidence, improve their social skills and contribute to an increasing commitment to citizenship, social identity and social capital (Cullen et al
fragmenting workers, the cooperative platform is becoming a means of bringing workers together and pooling resources. Against the backdrop of the pandemic, this revitalization of structures of solidarity, information and protest, aimed at those suffering from insecurity, leads to utopian energies, or at least to alternatives in underprivileged districts. Following on from popular protests against everyday poverty and unemployment, and also from efforts to resist evictions, some districts in major cities have organized themselves in a drive based on conflict and solidarity
Bringing together an international team of contributors, this volume draws on international political theory and intellectual history to rethink the problem of a pluralistic world order.
Inspired by the work of international political theorist Nicholas Rengger, the book focuses on three main areas of Rengger’s contribution to the political theory of international relations: his Augustine-inspired idea of an ‘Anti-Pelagian Imagination’; his Oakeshottian argument for a pluralist ‘conversation of mankind’; and his ruminations on war as the uncivil condition in world politics. Through a critical engagement with his work, the book illuminates the promises and limitations of civility as a sceptical, non-utopian, anti-perfectionist approach to theorizing world order that transcends both realist pessimism and liberal utopianism.
Theories heralding the rise of network governance have dominated for a generation. Yet, empirical research suggests that claims for the transformative potential of networks are exaggerated. This topical and timely book takes a critical look at contemporary governance theory, elaborating a Gramscian alternative. It argues that, although the ideology of networks has been a vital element in the neoliberal hegemonic project, there are major structural impediments to accomplishing it. While networking remains important, the hierarchical and coercive state is vital for the maintenance of social order and integral to the institutions of contemporary governance. Reconsidering it from Marxist and Gramscian perspectives, the book argues that the hegemonic ideology of networks is utopian and rejects the claim that there has been a transformation from 'government' to 'governance'. This important book has international appeal and will be essential reading for scholars and students of governance, public policy, human geography, public management, social policy and sociology.
As nations reel from the effects of poverty, inequality, climate change and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, it feels as though the world has entered a period characterized by pessimism, cynicism and anxiety.
This edited collection challenges individualized understandings of emotion, revealing how they relate to cultural, economic and political realities in difficult times.
Combining numerous empirical studies and theoretical developments from around the world, the diverse contributors explore how dystopian visions of the future influence, and are influenced by, the emotions of an anxious and precarious present.
This is an original investigation into the changing landscape of emotion in dark and uncertain times.
