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A Manifesto for Socialist Development in the 21st Century - published version.pdf (157.51 kB)

A manifesto for socialist development in the 21st Century

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-06, 09:56 authored by Benjamin SelwynBenjamin Selwyn
What might socialist development look like? Mainstream conceptions of development regard capital accumulation as the bedrock upon which to achieve human development. In these conceptions of change, labouring classes are regarded as fuel for the development motor, which in turn justifies their exploitation and oppression. This essay asks, in contrast, how a non-exploitative socialist development strategy might be operationalised. It does so by conducting a thought experiment: Imagine that labouring classes, supported by a small-farmer/peasant sector have conquered political power in a poor country. Imagine too, that there is no immediate prospect of a socialist ascendency elsewhere in the world. What kinds of development strategies, policies and practices would and could a nascent socialist state pursue? This essay discusses the problems such a nascent socialist state would face, notes ways in which wealth distribution, even in very poor countries, can provide the basis of significant human developmental gains, and advances a 10-point plan for sustainable socialist transformation.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Economic and Political Weekly

ISSN

0012-9976

Publisher

Economic and Political Weekly

Issue

36

Volume

53

Page range

47-55

Department affiliated with

  • International Development Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-09-20

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-09-24

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-09-20

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