Would Democratic Socialism Be Better?

Lane Kenworthy is Professor of Sociology and Yankelovich Chair in Social Thought at the University of California-San Diego. He studies the causes and consequences of living standards, poverty, inequality, mobility, employment, economic growth, social policy, taxes, public opinion, and politics in the United States and other affluent countries. He is also the author of The Good Society, Social Democratic Capitalism (Oxford, 2020), How Big Should Our Government Be? (2016, with Jon Bakija, Peter Lindert, and Jeff Madrick), Social Democratic America (Oxford, 2014), Progress for the Poor (Oxford, 2011), Jobs with Equality (Oxford, 2008), Egalitarian Capitalism (2004), and In Search of National Economic Success (1995). His essays and shorter pieces have appeared at his blog Consider the Evidence, Foreign Affairs, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Boston Review, and elsewhere.

We are at a critical juncture and need to build new institutions for a fairer, more equitably shared, and environmentally less damaging economic growth. But how? Lane Kenworthy has been the leading proponent of social democratic institutions both in the US and around the world. This spirited and readable book develops the powerful argument that social democracy is much better for our future than both unregulated global capitalism and democratic socialism. It is a must-read for all of those who are worried about our current predicament.

• 1. Is Capitalism Not Good Enough?2. An End to Poverty in Rich Countries3. An End to Poverty Everywhere4. More Jobs5. Decent Jobs6. Faster Economic Growth7. Inclusive Growth8. More Public Goods and Services9. Affordable Healthcare for All10. Helpful Finance11. Truly Democratic Politics12. Economic Democracy13. Less Economic Inequality14. Gender and Racial Equality15. More Community16. A Livable Planet17. Would Democratic Socialism Be Better Than Social Democratic Capitalism?Acknowledgments Notes References Index