- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Rebel inc. (11 Nov 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1841950564
- ISBN-13: 978-1841950563
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 474,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
In this work, free from jargon and dogma, Tommy Sheridan MSP and Alan McCoombes map out their political, social and cultural vision for Scotland and beyond in the 21st century. Examining the advances that have been made in all walks of life during the 20th century - in such diverse fields as science, health, manufacturing, food production, education, information technology and telecommunications, as well as culturally - the authors have concluded that the free market economic system is unable to utilize these advancements for the greater good of society, and worse, has been unable to tackle even the most basic world problems of hunger, poverty, homelessness and war. Their conclusions are ominous for the champions of profit and greed but offer hope to all those who can foresee the major economic, environmental, and social catastrophes which inevitably lie ahead if global capitalism is left unchallenged.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why you should stand up and be counted!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Imagine: A Socialist Vision for the 21st Century (Paperback)
This book, written by two leading members of the Scottish Socialist Party, is an easy to read analysis of our society at the beginning of the 21st century. It should be compulsory reading for anyone who takes a passing interest in the future of our society and of the planet as we know it.'Imagine' creates a strong indictment of the failure of capitalism, from retired coal miners freezing to a poverty stricken death in Scotland to the mass starvation and environmental destruction faced by millions in the third world, while the tiny minority at the top grow richer, fatter and ever more wasteful. The book does not stop there though but makes a real attempt to outline a socialist solution to the world's problems. The book is thoroughly researched and full of powerful information for all who are involved in the struggle against capitalism. The nature of the capitalist economy, the role of the state, the real reasons for poverty, unemployment, the oppression of women, racism and homophobia are all explained in a style that is concise and easy to understand. The wastefulness and environmental destruction resulting from a system of production that revolves around profit rather than actual need are illustrated in full. The need for global change and internationalism runs throughout the book, and the accompanying role of technology and the internet in building this is also a strong theme. The potential of the internet has already been seen in cities such as Seattle and Melbourne, as anti-capitalist protests are built internationally using instant free communication and exchange of information. In 'Imagine' we get a glimpse of a future where technology could be used to create a direct democracy, with electronic referenda on all the issues of the day, in a future independent socialist Scotland. 'Hi-tech socialism' could also feature economic planning using the latest in information technology to track goods and production. The book deftly takes up the chorus of nay-sayers, the 'socialism doesn't work', 'nothing will ever change' and 'its against human nature' brigade. The book gives an excellent short analysis of Stalinism and of changes in society over the course of history. The book is by no means conclusive and the authors concede that the arguments raised will be 'picked over like fishbones'. But as a book which raises the ideas of socialism in comprehensible language, it is an invaluable tool for those who stand up against capitalism everywhere.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
let the debate begin,
This review is from: Imagine: A Socialist Vision for the 21st Century (Paperback)
as other reviews have pointed out the first two thirds of the book are more about pointing out what is wrong with capitalism rather than offering a clear roadmap to socialism. but how could there be? none who are alive today will even be around to see the creation of any future global system of socialism. capitalism was hundreds of years in the making, it's not going to be stripped down over night. so, trying to predict how the world might look in a hundred years and drawing up a political blueprint of how a socialist govt would function in that world is utterly pointless - as sheridan and mccombes realise. What this book, and others like it do are kick-start the debate. many blindly accept that capitalism is the ONLY system of politics that will ever work. thankfully evolution doesn't work like that and books like this and the arguments put forward in it will hopefully be one small spark towards starting the fire of debate over capitalism's future. only through debate and civil protest will the move towards socialism begin and this book will give you plenty of ammunition to get started.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A deeply though provoking and timely book,
By A Customer
This review is from: Imagine: A Socialist Vision for the 21st Century (Paperback)
In this age of the internet there are many who believe that there is little point questioning why we live in a Global Capitalist society, this book proves that belief wrong. This well written and thought provoking book shows that there are many good reasons to challenge the way things are across the world, and move the emphasis back to society. It does manage to pull in all manner of computing thought and should be read by anyone and everyone.It is a compelling argument, which should not be discarded out of hand, even if you disagree with socialism it is always good to challenge your views, and no better book is likely to be written on the subject for a long time. As a fellow scot I feel proud that my nation has created a rebirth of socialist thinking that shows just how relevant it is in an age in which the benefits of technology have turned out to be most liked and exploited by our masters.
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