Parecon - by Michael Albert (Paperback)

About the Book

An answer to the constant economic query put to economic and globalization activists.

Book Synopsis

'What do you want?' is a constant query put to economic and globalization activists decrying current poverty, alienation and degradation. In this highly praised new work, destined to attract worldwide attention and support, Michael Albert provides an answer: Participatory Economics, 'Parecon' for short, a new economy, an alternative to capitalism, built on familiar values including solidarity, equity, diversity and people democratically controlling their own lives, but utilizing original institutions fully described and defended in the book.

Review Quotes

"... this participatory vision is what Albert successfully provides for activists and academics alike, with the hope that it will be used to inspire social projects aimed at defeating inequality and leading to people democratically managing their own lives."--Rob Maguire, ZNet

"Parecon is a pragmatic and visionary programme that would certainly boost human freedom; we ought at least to try it out."--Red Pepper

"an imaginative, carefully reasoned description, persistently provocative, of how we might live free from economic injustice."--Howard Zinn

"It merits close attention, debate, and action."--Noam Chomsky

"Albert is ideally suited to synthesizing all the strands running through the anti-capitalist movement."--The Ecologist

"Parecon is a brave argument for ... a much needed ... more equitable, democratic, participatory ... alternative economic vision."--Arrundhati Roy

"A historically informed and logical economic blueprint with the practicality of a hand-tool, and a vision guided by the desire to find nobility in work."--Kirkus Reviews

"He is advocating a top to bottom economic revolution."--Library Journal

"Capitalism not working for you? Michael Albert may be tilting at windmills, but readers are flocking to his book on a system to spread the wealth and work."--Los Angeles Times

"an important contribution to the imaginative tools for everyone who wants to dismantle capitalism."--International Socialism

About the Author

Michael Albert helped found and establish South End Press and Z Magazine, among other institutions. A long-time activist, he now maintains Z's internationally acclaimed web site Znet (www.zmag.org). He has written numerous books and countless articles dealing with, among other topics, economics, vision, social change, strategy, globalization, and war and peace.