Why Not Socialism?: Amazon.co.uk: G. A. Cohen: Books

Review

Characteristically lucid, engaging and gently humorous. . . . Cohen says things that need to be said, often better than anyone else; and his last book is especially effective as an argument against the obstacles to socialism typically ascribed to human selfishness. His style of argument is very accessible, and it is certainly a more attractive mode of persuasion than dreary analyses of how capitalism actually works. -- Ellen Meiksins Wood, London Review of Books

Is socialism really such an alien way of organizing human society? In this stimulating essay titled Why Not Socialism? (just 92 pages long), the late Oxford philosopher G. A. Cohen invites us to think seriously about what socialism has to offer in comparison with capitalism. -- Sanford G. Thatcher, Centre Daily Times

Beautifully written. . . . In sublimely lucid fashion, Cohen draws up taxonomies of equality, offers ethical objection to capitalism . . . and distinguishes between two questions: is socialism desirable?; and, if desirable, is it feasible? . . . Tiny books are all the rage in publishing nowadays; this is one of the few that punches well above its weight. -- Steven Poole, The Guardian

[A] stimulating and thoughtfully argued advocacy of the better world that we need to fight for. -- Andrew Stone, Socialist Review

A quietly urgent book. -- Owen Hatherley, Philosophers' Magazine

Cohen brings his characteristic clarity to his final defence of socialism. -- Tim Soutphommasane, The Australian

No doubt the best forms of socialist organization will emerge, like everything else, after much trial and error. But a vast quantity of preliminary spadework is necessary to excavate the assumptions that keep us from even trying. With Why Not Socialism?, Cohen has turned over a few shovelfuls, bringing us a little nearer the end of the immemorial--but surely not everlasting--epoch of greed and fear. -- George Scialabba, Commonweal

[Here] we have a renowned scholar producing an accessible, concise work addressing a vital topic from a committed, progressive standpoint: would that more of today's academic star scholars would follow this example. -- Frank Cunningham, Socialist Studies

Why Not Socialism? is a lucid and accessible statement of some of Cohen's deepest preoccupations. -- Alex Callinicos, Radical Philosophy

Review

Characteristically lucid, engaging and gently humorous... Cohen says things that need to be said, often better than anyone else; and his last book is especially effective as an argument against the obstacles to socialism typically ascribed to human selfishness. His style of argument is very accessible, and it is certainly a more attractive mode of persuasion than dreary analyses of how capitalism actually works. -- Ellen Meiksins Wood, London Review of Books Is socialism really such an alien way of organizing human society? In this stimulating essay titled Why Not Socialism? (just 92 pages long), the late Oxford philosopher G. A. Cohen invites us to think seriously about what socialism has to offer in comparison with capitalism. -- Sanford G. Thatcher, Centre Daily Times Beautifully written... In sublimely lucid fashion, Cohen draws up taxonomies of equality, offers ethical objection to capitalism ... and distinguishes between two questions: is socialism desirable?; and, if desirable, is it feasible? ... Tiny books are all the rage in publishing nowadays; this is one of the few that punches well above its weight. -- Steven Poole, The Guardian [A] stimulating and thoughtfully argued advocacy of the better world that we need to fight for. -- Andrew Stone, Socialist Review A quietly urgent book. -- Owen Hatherley, Philosophers' Magazine Cohen brings his characteristic clarity to his final defence of socialism. -- Tim Soutphommasane, The Australian No doubt the best forms of socialist organization will emerge, like everything else, after much trial and error. But a vast quantity of preliminary spadework is necessary to excavate the assumptions that keep us from even trying. With Why Not Socialism?, Cohen has turned over a few shovelfuls, bringing us a little nearer the end of the immemorial--but surely not everlasting--epoch of greed and fear. -- George Scialabba, Commonweal [Here] we have a renowned scholar producing an accessible, concise work addressing a vital topic from a committed, progressive standpoint: would that more of today's academic star scholars would follow this example. -- Frank Cunningham, Socialist Studies Why Not Socialism? is a lucid and accessible statement of some of Cohen's deepest preoccupations. -- Alex Callinicos, Radical Philosophy

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

Why not indeed? 31 Aug 2010

By Bartolome Mesa Gil

Format:Hardcover

The late great thinker G.A. Cohen advocates again, this time in only 82 pages, for a better society in which the principle of community can temper the principle of equality, avoiding the inequalities that the last one always produces in the outcome. It is beautifully written, though sometimes not a very easy read. But this is a profound philosophical essay, not another silly little self-help book. I found it illuminating, wise and, above all, very moving.

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21 of 26 people found the following review helpful

stimulating but ultimately vague 14 Jan 2010

By Graham R. Hill TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE

The author provides much to think about: definitions of both socialism and the terms in which that definition is couched, a well thought through allegory of socialism in action, and a critique of what is wrong with the market economy.

The book's argument is essentially that the answer to the titular question lies in the practical aspects of implementation rather than the desirability of the outcome. However the best that Cohen can offer here is the observation that just because we don't know how to do something now doesn't prove that we shall never know. True of course, but doesn't take one much further forward.

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3 of 6 people found the following review helpful

OK... 24 Jan 2011

By Dale

This book raises many questions, but fails to answer any. Cohen offers a few stimulating ideas, but drowns them in over-explaining. I get the impression the author has conviction in his beliefs but lacks the talent to successfully put his case across in writing. Cohen attempts to use over-simplified analogies to justify his political opinion (and fails). The book is OK... but it is just that.

And to add context to this review, I am a self-defined socialist.