Reinventing Democratic Socialism: For People Prosperity

This work reformulates the theory and practice of socialism in the view of the transformation of society over the past 60 years. Robert Corfe aims to fulfill the hopes of those who feel that the Labour party, and socialism worldwide, has lost its way and is in need of a philosophy to point the way ahead. The book also sets about the task of creating a socialist business philosophy constructed within the guiding framework of socialist business values. This raises the question: is it necessary for socialism to adopt a pro-active approach to business in the light of those conflicting doctrines of the past? Is it possible for socialism to be pro-business in a genuine sense without compromising its integrity? How can socialism promote business in the shadow of its long struggle against the abuses of capitalism? In response, Corfe argues that if the left fails to seize the initiative in advancing those forces for social wealth creation and prosperity, then socialism will consign itself to oblivion. Historically, socialist governments in both industrialized and Third World economies have always fallen following their failure to maintain communal prosperity and successful business. Here, Corfe writes about the missing "gene" of socialism - its antipathy to business - and the attitudes which are needed to build a pro-business ethos within a socialist value system. The complexity of contemporary capitalism is then dissected. The traditional stance of the left that all forms of capitalism are synonymous and should therefore be equally opposed is shown to prevent an understanding of economic reality. When contemporary capitalism is examined closely as a living force it is found to have both benign and malign characteristics. From such a study, Corfe constructs a self-regulating capitalism, monitored under a dirigiste authority which disseminates wealth and power in benefiting majority populations everywhere and may be identified with the original aims of socialist thinking. Whilst the book shows that old-style class war would undermine the foundations of new socialism in repulsing the majority, its central concern is the extension of people power into all spheres of life and work.

Table of Contents:
Part I Socialism in an age of change: how internationalism serves the self-interest of peoples; the crisis of socialism in a changing world; why representative democracy is reliant on constructive political philosophy; the dichotomy between intention and actuality in the realm of "realpolitik"; the missing "gene" of socialism; how values may advance or hinder societies; new values emerge in the wake of social change; the work environment and the wider world; people power in transforming the economy; autonomy and the limits of democratic power. Part II Socializing productive capitalism: Labour's lost majority; the dilemma of class struggle; social and unsocial wealth creation; protest for prosperity; increasing Labour's support. Part III Establishing socialist business values: introduction - accountancy, its ultimate function; Britain's toughest competition - an opposing economic system; when money creation hinders productive profitability; irreconcilable economies within the industrial world; Rentier versus productive profits - a new criteria for financial management; building structures for prosperity; how the industrial associations are failing British industry; making the financial markets work for home-base industry. Part IV Action for prosperity: the invisible shift in industrial relationships; the changing priorities of working people; workers and bosses against de-industrialization; new battle lines for social progress; the struggle against Rentier capitalism; regenerating the spirit of trades unionism; promoting advanced industrial action; strategy for the industrial occupation; the industrial efficiency tribunal; the new international struggle. Part V The human priorities of politics: expediency versus justice; the self-justifying cynicism of vested interests; political realism in the just society; maximizing the individual's potential in the free society; the moral bankruptcy of our financial system; social prosperity only achievable through autonomy; the true foundations for disinterested politics; the underlying grounds of conflict in the contemporary world; the meaning of new socialism; freedom within the integrated community. Part VI Conclusions: the responsible society. Appendices: a terminology for new socialism; the UK's imbalance of payments; job losses in the productive sector; the growth of corporate bankruptcy; Britain's dependence on the productive sector; the cash-starvation of UK-based industry.