One of my favourite television watching is Seinfeld which ran for almost a decade from its 1989 start and has 180 episodes. One of them has Kramer, the goofy neighbour, sell the idea of a coffee book with a small nestling table attached and duly appearing on a television talk-show to explain the idea. In that same spirit, I offer you the concept of the “expandable book”. This is a book which expands into larger versions. At the moment Dispatches to the Next Generation is just over 150 pages but it links in turn lead to what must be several thousands of pages of reading. So it’s a huge resource.
It lists and comments on the hundreds of books which have been written in recent decades about “the crisis”. In that sense, it has something in common with the “50 Classic” series by Tom Butler-Bowen although I can give only a tantalising sense of the worth of the books I reference - compared to the 5 or so pages which Butler-Bowen’s books average for each of his 50.
Before we start even flicking a book, however, we need to have some questions in mind. This will help us quickly identify where (if at all) the text actually tries to develop answers. Typically, I found my exercise producing a list of statements viz
Western liberal capitalism has legitimacy as long as its political and economic systems work
The economic system (capitalism) has always had its critics – but the global financial crash of 2008; climate change; and Artificial Intelligence have made the case for radical change unassailable
For the second half of the 20th century, the political system (democracy) seemed free from such challenges - but has recently come under fire for its failure to make its citizens feel that it represents any more their interests
Political parties have indeed surrendered almost all of their functions – which I once described as representation, manifesto implementation, extension of public insight and protection – and are left only with the selection of elites.
Most of the terms used in discussions – such as neoliberalism, inequality, populism, identity – are useless slogans which don’t contribute to anyone’s understanding of what’s at stake
It was 1979 when Christopher Lasch produced his The Culture of Narcissism – American Life in an age of diminishing expectations which anticipated the present focus on self
The present situation suits “Individualists” down to the ground
“Egalitarians” are at a loss – having lost their capacity to believe in solidarity and the engine of union pressure
The rest of us are utterly confused
The structure of power is basically out of balance – as Henry Mintzberg’s Rebalancing Society – radical renewal beyond left, right and center so clearly set more than a decade ago
But argument alone will not bring down the walls of privilege
The lesson of history is that force (or its threat) is needed to effect social change
Although history also tells us that it has to be non-violent
Where – in the absence of the labour movement - do we find and harness such force?
People power does not seem to have much lasting traction
Books about ”the global crisis or crises” are normally written by self-confident people who are trying to persuade us that their line of argument is correct. And they will therefore not spend much time on the arguments of their opponents. This author is not that sort of person. I’m only too aware of the tenuous nature of perceptions – that’s why I’m proud to call myself a ”sceptic”. A summary of each chapter follows -
1. Critical junctures identified
History is written by the victors – and the sycophants who surround them. Events were generally much more finely balanced than their versions admit. There’s too much fatalism around. Rec reading Covid 19 as a Critical Juncture and Out of the Belly of Hell
2.Trespassing is good for you
Intellectual specialisation has made it difficult for us to understand how the world is changing. Most leaders of organisations are in the grip of groupthink and need countervailing mechanisms of accountability to help them see new realities eg Janis, t’Hart, Syed
3. Putting Economics in its place
This intellectual discipline is deficient and yet has too much power. It needs to be brought down a peg or three. See Steve Keen, Brian Davey’s ”Credo”
4. The Blind men probe the Elephant
Talk of capitalism and post-capitalism is too loose and reified. There are various equally legitimate ways of perceiving the “beast”. See the table on 57 Varieties of Capitalism
5. A new social goal is sought for the commercial company
Shareholder value ignores other dimensions. Cooperative and social enterprises employ more people than we think – but have to struggle for legitimacy - see Paul Hirst, Colin Mayer, Ed Mayo, Charles Handy
6. Lessons of change explored
So much protest fails and few social enterprises have a multiplier effect. How do we create winnable coalitions? Appendix 2 lists the key books on both change and social change – more than 100.
7. The Search for Common Ground
Progressives are good at sounding off – and bad at seeking common ground. Change agents and coalitions sought. See Common Ground – democracy and collectivity in an age of individualism by Jeremy Gilbert
8. Conclusion - which explores the concepts of countervailing power; social enterprise
Almost 100 posts are incorporated into the little book which, at the moment, is 169 pages long. These can be viewed here
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