Reimagining socialism: An interview with David Kotz
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David Kotz dissects the lessons from the Soviet model, explains why capitalism cannot be reformed and makes a case for democratic socialism.

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In this interview, radical economist David Kotz dissects the lessons drawn from the experience of the Soviet model, explains why reforming capitalism cannot solve the problems built into the capitalist system, and makes a case for democratic socialism as the only sustainable alternative to capitalism

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The Soviet model transformed the lives of the Soviet people for the better in many measurable ways. […] However, the system had serious economic problems. Many sectors of the economy were inefficient, many consumer goods were of low quality, and many consumer services were simply unavailable. Households often faced shortages of consumer goods.

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Market socialism did not emerge in Russia after the collapse of state socialism, but did emerge in China after 1978 under the post-Mao leadership of Deng Xiaoping. In China, market forces were introduced gradually and with a high degree of state oversight to avoid economic chaos. The record shows that market socialism not only reproduced many of the problems of capitalism but has a tendency to promote a return to capitalism.

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Key features:

(1) Economic allocation decisions are made by all parties affected by the decision. That includes workers, consumers, and the local community.

(2) Differences are settled whenever possible by negotiation and compromise among the relevant parties. If necessary, majority voting can be used.

(3) The mass media are free to criticise the state and its officials.

(4) Individuals are free to criticise the state and its officials.

    • thelucky8@beehaw.org
      1·
      3 days ago

      I’m not so sure. A few weeks ago I just stumbled upon a research paper on Sweden:

      What Sweden thinks about markets, capitalism and the rich

      Attitudes towards the rich are far more positive in Sweden than in France, Spain, Germany, and Italy. Attitudes towards the market economy are also more positive in Sweden than in all other European countries, except Poland. Although Sweden is perceived by some as a model of ‘democratic socialism’, it has been 50 years since that this was – almost – the case. Today, Sweden is one of the ten most economically free countries in the world, although income tax is still above average. Corporate taxes are moderate, however, and inheritance, gift, and wealth taxes have been abolished. This article presents the findings of two surveys conducted by Ipsos MORI in Sweden. The first survey focused on perceptions of the rich, the second explored attitudes towards the market economy and capitalism.

      So, of course, from a global perspective, it is supposedly among the countriest that come closest to the idea of democratic socialism, but there’s a lot to do, at least according to this research.