Associative Democracy: New Forms of Economic and Social Governance

by Paul Hirst

Overview

At the end of the twentieth century, it becomes ever more clear that Western countries are witnessing the exhaustion of the two great political and economic systems-democratic capitalism and collective state socialism-that have held sway for the past 150 years. Yet neither the traditional Right nor Left has been able to provide viable solutions to this crisis. In this book, Paul Hirst offers a new approach, which he calls associative democracy.

Not simply a utopian idea, associative democracy calls for new forms of economic and social governance as supplements to representative democracy and market economies. It addresses the problems of the overload of big government by democratizing and empowering civil society. It transfers social provision to self-governing voluntary associations, while retaining public funding and political accountability. In the economic sphere, it advocates regional economic regulation through public-private partnerships, the promotion of self-governing industrial districts, and the democratization of the company.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780870238970
Publisher:	University of Massachusetts Press
Publication date:	02/07/1994
Series:	Political and Economic Systems Series
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	(w) x (h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	1510L (what's this?)

About the Author

Paul Hirst is professor of social theory at Birkbeck College, University of London. His books include Representative Democracy and Its Limits, and Reversing Industrial Decline.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements.

1. A Changed Conjuncture.

2. Associative Principles and Democratic Reform.

3. Associational Ethics and Logics of Collective Action.

4. Associative Democracy and Economic Governance.

5. Current Realities and Economic Reform.

6. Thick Welfare, Thin Collectivism.

7. An Associational and Confederal Welfare State.

Reference.

Suggestions for Further Reading.

Index.

What People are Saying About This

Anthony Barnett

This major study confirms that democracy has only just arrived. Associative Democracy will be a benchmark for the debate over where democracy can, and should, lead human society.

Editorial Reviews

In the wake of the collapse of Soviet socialism and the exhaustion of Western democratic capitalism, Hirst (social theory, U. of London) offers a new approach--associative democracy--which calls for new forms of economic and social governance as supplements to representative democracy and market economies. Paper edition (unseen), $16.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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