Community and the Economy: The Theory of Public Co-operation - Softcover

Boswell, Jonathan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415116074 ISBN 13: 9780415116077

Publisher: Routledge, 1994

Synopsis

226p paperback, excellent condition, as good as new

About this title

Review

"Boswell's book gives communitarianism a good name. Without sentimentality or nostalgia he makes a strong case for the central role of community in, of all places, the economy. He shows why a good economy is a communtarian economy. Boswell is tough, factual, specific in his recommendations, and in the best sense of the word, idealistic."
-Robert N. Bellah, University of California, Berkeley
"In a very interesting and enlightening book, Boswell does an excellent job of exploring the social and intellectual history of communitarianism. . . . This is a challenging book because it calls into question mainstream assumptions about the market, the public and private sectors, the role of government and our conception of democracy. In the best tradition of political economy and the history of social thought, Boswell focuses on the big questions and suggests a comprehensive framework for constructing an alternative to the tyranny of the market or the tyranny of the state."
-"Choice, 8/91
"Path-breaking analysis of the links between the values of community and the imperatives of an advanced economy . . . a world away from individualistic economic liberalism and collectivist state socialism . . . exemplifies a tentative but unmistakable new paradigm . . . a subtle argument."
-"London Review of Books
"I would highly recommend this book to those who are interested in looking beyond either the market system or total state control of the economy. The range of material covered is broad, but there is an attempt to make specific recommendations. The future of most all economies rests on how the problems addressed in this book are answered, and these answers are especially important toEastern European countries that are undergoing a dramatic reconstruction."
-"Journal of Economic Issues
"It is a comprehensive book articulating a vision of an economy that steers clear of a dominant market or statedirected model. His attention to economics is holistic. . . . [The book] offers a vision of how to implement the principles of fraternity, associativeness and participation. . . . a philosophical view of management as virtue rather than as a mere technique."
-"Review of Social Economy, Spring 93

Synopsis

Throughout recent years conventional political distinctions and ideologies have been on the retreat. The failure of monolithic state Marxism in Central and Eastern Europe has at last been recognised, whilst ideologues on the right have announced the death of the idea of society. To many this claim is premature: there remains a conviction that a political and social system might emerge which satisfies the needs of both the individual and the community as a whole. "Community and the Economy" offers a broad criticism of individualistic notions of liberty, equality and prosperity. Taking a fresh look at community, it highlights three badly neglected but fundamental values: fraternity, xomplementary association, and democratic participation. The author finds that pointers to these values have existed, surprisingly, even in complex modern economies. Thus, it is possible for economic interests to collaborate freely with each other and government, in the cause of public interests.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0415116074
• ISBN 13: 9780415116077
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240