Realizing Hope

Something is profoundly wrong with capitalism. Vast inequalities of wealth and power won’t take the world to a better future. “What is the alternative?” is a question echoing all around the globe. Michael Albert has wrestled with this question for many years, and his answer regarding economics has captured the imagination of many. Participatory Economics–“Parecon” for short–Albert’s proposed economic system to replace capitalism, rejects competitive anti-sociality, individualist greed, commercial homogenization and corporate hierarchy, and in their place elevates solidarity, equity, diversity and self management. In Realizing Hope, he goes further to offer insights about how whole areas of life might be desirably transformed in a new society. Whether exploring the way we work, our relationship to the earth, the transformation of global financial institutions, science, technology, the family, culture, sport, art or education, people rather than profit always take centre stage.