Socialist Optimism: An Alternative Political Economy for the Twenty-First Century

“With radical change in the air, Paul Auerbach has proposed a creative orientation for sustaining practical hope. Through the prism of education and its link to human potentials, Auerbach advances a biting critique of the ideology, political economy and class structures that sustain capitalism. And on this basis he presents an intriguing agenda for moving towards an egalitarian, solidaristic, democratically more substantive and culturally richer alternative.” (Sam Gindin, co-author of The Making of Global Capitalism)

“Here is a remarkable book that combines enormous wisdom, a deep historical and economic analysis, and a vision for a reconstructed socialist project which builds, not on fantasy, but on existing seeds within capitalism. Auerbach forensically analyses the errors of past socialist analysis and reconstructs a new vision founded on education and human development.” (Francis Green, Professor of Work and Education Economics, Institute of Education, University of London, UK, and author of Skills and Skilled Work)

“21st century capitalism, without a socialist rival to temper its excesses, has degenerated into a dystopia of financial instability, economic stagnation and extremes of inequality. The resultant lack of opportunity has stunted the development of a generation in a way that resembles a return to feudalism more than it does Hayek's vision of a creative spontaneous order. Auerbach proposes instead a socialism that emphasises human development, equality and genuine democracy.” (Steve Keen, author of Debunking Economics)

“Paul Auerbach has written a book not for the converted, not for those in search of certainties or dogmas, but for those looking for intelligent arguments, proposals which are historically based and theoretically sound with such the right dash of utopia to make the mix interesting and exciting – a book which puts at the centre of a major reform of society the pursuit of educational excellence for all. This is a book to be read slowly and carefully: the reader will emerge wiser and richer in the mind.” (Donald Sassoon, Professor of Comparative European History, University of London, UK, and author of One Hundred Years of Socialism)

“Paul Auerbach has written a brilliant and immensely important book. In the face of economic crisis, increasing inequality and looming environmental disaster we need more than defensive, “neoliberal light” policies or vague calls for radical change. Auerbach demonstrates how past socialist failures derive closely from a misreading of history. More importantly, his analysis points us in a new and promising direction. This ambitious book combines clear economic insight with a compelling vision for change. It will appeal to all who recognize the dangers and inequities of unfettered capitalism.” (Peter Skott, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA, and author of Conflict and Effective Demand in Economic Growth)