A Manifesto for Socialist Development in the 21st Century - published version.pdf (157.51 kB)
A manifesto for socialist development in the 21st Century
Version 2 2023-06-06, 09:56
Version 1 2023-06-06, 09:41
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-06, 09:56 authored by Benjamin SelwynBenjamin SelwynWhat 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 WeeklyISSN
0012-9976Publisher
Economic and Political WeeklyIssue
36Volume
53Page range
47-55Department affiliated with
- International Development Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-09-20First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-09-24First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-09-20Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC