Would Democratic Socialism Be Better?

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. * Daron Acemoglu, Institute Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology *
A readable, sober, grounded, empirically-based, humane and even hopeful presentation of social democratic capitalism. Even for the US! * Lawrence Mishel, Former President, Economic Policy Institute *
Lane Kenworthy has produced a briskly written and utterly convincing argument for the benefits of social democracy over an alternative socialist system that has never existed. His book is a splendid example of how what Michael Harrington called 'the left wing of the possible' has bettered the lives of tens of millions of people and has the potential to do so for billions more. * Michael Kazin, Professor of History, Georgetown University, and author of What It Took to Win: A History of the Democratic Party *
In a series of compelling books, Lane Kenworthy has convincingly argued that 'Social Democratic Capitalism,' the Nordic Model characterized by strong and centralized unions, a large and redistributive welfare state and frequent social democratic government, delivers high levels of equality and social inclusion, low levels of poverty, high levels of employment, and a cleaner environment without sacrificing economic growth. In this book, Kenworthy carefully considers whether Democratic Socialism would be an even better alternative. He is skeptical, emphasizing the advantages of Social Democratic Capitalism. * John D. Stephens, Lenski Professor of Political Science and Sociology, University of North Carolina *
Data-rich, and gracefully written advocacy for the social welfare policies now typical of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. * Social Forces *
Careful, well argued, and attuned to competing arguments, this is public-facing social science at its best. * Marc Dixon, American Journal of Sociology *