Book Description
"Be prepared for a mind-opening experience."
-The Christian Century
"Highly readable; excellent for students. . . . A tonic and eye-opener for anyone who wants a politics that works."
-Jane Mansbridge, Adams Professor, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
"America Beyond Capitalism comes at a critical time in our history-when we all know our system isn't working but we are not sure what can be done about it. This book takes us outside the confines of orthodox thinking, imagines a new way of living together, and then brings that vision back into reality with a set of eminently practical ideas that promise a truly democratic society."
-Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States
"Succeeds brilliantly in taking the Jeffersonian spirit into the last bastion of privilege in America, offering workable solutions for making the American economy one that is truly of, by, and for the people."
-Jeremy Rifkin, author of The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream
"The kind of careful, well-researched, and practical alternative progressives have been seeking. And it's more-visionary, hopeful, even inspirational. I highly recommend it."
-Juliet Schor, author of The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need
"A compelling and convincing story of the future."
-William Greider, author of The Soul of Capitalism: Opening Paths to a Moral Economy
Customer Reviews:
Not particularly rousing or transforming.......2007-07-11
The author is concerned that at this point in our history our ideals of liberty, equality, and democracy have been seriously eroding as never before. By far the most relevant development given by the author is the growing concentration of wealth in the US among the richest 1 percent and thereby their immense power to control the political-economic system. In this highly tilted environment, traditional popular political approaches are largely ineffective - systemic changes are needed. However, the author's proposals scarcely go "beyond capitalism," being reformist at best, and do little to enhance the little "d" democracy that is so important in a democracy.
Because wealth-holding is so central in our society, the author proposes changes in forms of ownership and the distribution of capital. He gives examples of ownership by municipalities, non-profits, and other non-government entities mostly in the areas of low-income housing and utility ownership, none of which are particularly economically transforming to the citizenry. He suggests that ESOPs are empowering to workers, yet he readily admits that most ESOPs do not even have voting rights. There have always been worker cooperatives and direct worker ownership in the US, but hardly at the level of being a countervailing force to huge for-profit corporations owned by anonymous stockholders. His suggestions to decentralize the US into regional political entities, like virtually all of his proposals, do not enhance participation for citizens.
The author notes that major crises in this nation, such as the Great Depression or WWII, have spurred the most profound changes. The author hints at the fact that it may well be the excesses of elites and corporations that will generate the next significant political-economic changes. Forces of globalization, the cheap labor afforded by immigration, growing perceptions of unreasonable inequality, a health care industry increasingly at odds with the health of the American public, the diminishment and jeopardization of retirement income, and perpetual war - all may well combine to stimulate profound changes. As the author acknowledges, it is likely that the situation may have to get worse before action is taken.
The book, though not particularly long, manages to be repetitious and tedious with excessive cataloging of various agencies, programs, and advocates. The book is hardly a far left treatise. Capitalism may get a strong rebuke, but that is the extent of it. His vaguely presented schemes to redistribute wealth are highly bureaucratic, bypassing worker control. Overall this book is a disappointment in its lack of specific suggestions for empowering citizens in all areas, public and private.
book for school.......2007-05-16
I bought this book for a class at college. I am really tired of this propoganda. I do not agree with the viewpoints.
Required reading????.......2006-09-21
The guy makes his liberal points like gangbusters. But why on earth is this type of material required reading in several colleges without an equally substantial pro-capitalist book to counter it?
Nowhere else in society are young people exposed to such raw indoctrination as they are in America's college campuses. Kids need to learn to think for themselves, not just repeat the rantings of their instructors.
The View from the Far Left.......2006-05-02
This book is an excellent summary of the thinking of the left wing of the Democratic party. He brings forth a good collection of ways that he sees our society declining. I believe the thing he laments most is that the rich are rich. From this he goes on to saying that the standard work week in the US should be shorter, there should be universal health care, the whole litany of the issues of the far left.
While many of us think that the far right wing has gone too far, the far left likewise has little appeal.
Another point that bothers me is that problems I forsee being the biggest problems that the country faces, he doesn't mention at all. For instance, we are at about the peak of oil production in the world and developing countries, especially China and India have increased their demand for oil, and the total production of oil is going to go down in the next few years.
Mr. Alperovitz is a Democratic Party activist. He doesn't though address what the Democratics need to do to be able to win on a national level. The old Democratic coalition of minorities, labor, women, the big Eastern political machines no longer has the pull it had. If he really wants to change things, how does he propose for the Democrats to counter the movement in our country to the South and West. Hint: When Kerry and Edwards left the campaign trail for a couple of days to go vote on a gun control measure they wrote off the South and West just to back up the left wing of their party.
I give the book five stars because it so clearly illustrates the feelings of the far left. As a practical plan for the future, it wouldn't rate that high.
Five Stars for Originality and Scholarship, Three for the Quality of Writing.......2005-11-12
I give this book five stars for orginality and scholarship and three for the quality of the writing.
The ideas presented here hold the key to future progressive political success. Unfortunately, most political activists on the Left are not aware of the rich history of democratic localism that progressives can draw on to win a progressive governing majority. This book is the antidote to this lack of awareness. By studying "America Beyond Capitalism" progressive thinkers and activists can learn how to develop popular policies that will earn the trust of the American electorate.
However, the quality of writing leaves much to be desired. The writing style too frequently degenerates into tiring catalogues of examples that could be easily summarized, allowing the curious reader to more easily absorb the main theme, while still having the option of researching examples by looking at the original sources cited. This is why I give it only three stars for the quality of the writing.
Overall, I give this book four stars and I highly recommend it to any progressive who is seriously interested in building a progressive governing majority in the 21st century.
Book Description
It’s Time to Really Live
Is this your best life? Or is it your “just getting by” life? Passion and dreams can wilt under the weight of worry and disappointment that life brings. Oh, but the power that comes with letting go! Reclaiming your life and getting back on track is what God wants for you. In The Power of Letting Go, licensed professional counselor Pam Vredevelt comes alongside to help you eliminate the barricades that have kept happiness and contentment from your door. Through biblical teaching and drawing on twenty years of counseling experience, her wisdom and practical guidance will lead you to peace of mind and tranquillity of heart.
Are You Clinging to an Ending
or Preparing for a New Beginning?
Do you feel like you somehow missed the life you were meant to have?
Do you miss YOU?
Maybe you know exactly what it is, or maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it, but you know something’s got to change. And that it must begin with finding the courage to take that first step.
No matter what your circumstances, there is a sure way to overcome life’s heartaches and face your tomorrows with hope and peace. The power is in letting go.
With biblical wisdom, life coach Pam Vredevelt helps you take that first step—and then all the steps—to breaking down the barriers once and for all. She’ll show you how to move forward into the life of freedom and happiness that you were meant to have, the life God created you for!
“Pam’s writing speaks to the place where people are living.
With sensitivity and insight, Pam gently prompts the reader to take
a new direction. She brings hope and healing
where before there was only darkness.”
H. Norman Wright, Counselor and author of
Recovering from Losses in Life and Why Did This Happen to Me?
Story Behind the Book
After twenty years of counseling experience, Pam Vredevelt, LPC, pinpointed the one question that the majority of her clients all shared: “How do I let go of the negative emotions weighing me down?” Now in The Power of Letting Go , she writes as someone who’s been there, someone who’s experienced for herself the freedom of resolving nagging emotions lingering from the past. Words from this life coach go a long way, as her primary passion is equipping the hurting in order to get unstuck and back on track, progressing toward the life of freedom that God promises to every one of His children.
Customer Reviews:
Practical steps to achieving freedom.......2007-08-24
The author shares her own personal life stories and those whom she has counseled in hopes of revealing steps to freedom from holding on too tightly to all sorts of issues, things and people. I felt like I was sitting in her office hearing her speak comforting, encouraging words to me. I would recommend this book to anyone who struggles with the pain and 'prison' of holding on too tightly.
A Must Read.......2007-05-11
I have not read this book, but my mother and I saw an interview w/ the author. Both of us liked what we were hearing, so I bought the book for my mom as a gift. She is reading it now and loves it. She said, "Everyone should read this book." It is helping her a great deal.
Product Description
Stephen Mace explores the magick of using power to deal with the two institutions that seem to do the most to cripple our access to it: the Corporation and the State. Of these, the former is surely more odious than the latter, and infinitely less vital. Most odious of all, of course, is the carnal union of the two, but such depravity may tend toward the decline of both parties, and Seizing Power examines the dynamics of this process as well.
Customer Reviews:
"Free Your Fellow Magi".......2007-09-22
This book is perfect for those who found Chaos Magick to be a welcome relief from the burden of excess less then effective schools of thought. For the modern up and coming magicians, digital media will be the net that denies their magickal success (in my opinion). Stephen mace helps to reafirm the necessity of leaving these things alone because of their tragic counter productivity as well as not falling for the tricks of the mind used to make us forfit our wills. Excellent for those trying to convince themselves to do more magick and less wasting time.
Civilisation, Politics, & Freedom...from a magickal view point.......2007-04-01
This isn't a book that gives exercises in magickal practice nor is it a "Magick 101" book. Stephen Mace offers us insights on how to survive and not be decieved by the Church, State, and Media. These three things essetially make up the vast American society: the Church tells us how to "be good" so we go to Heaven or other such jargon; the State(all government and politics)tells us how to "be good" by taking our freedoms away if we are "not good"; the Media controls what we see and hear but not to inform, but to make profit through empoitation. The one thing that these three have in common is that they LIE!! They each tell us different lies to get us to do something or buy something and the vast majority do it. Seizing Power gives us ways to employ magick or other spiritual disiplines to remain free and to keep our personal power by empowering the Self instead of deminishing it and become a Null. As Stephen Mace says, "Nulls can't do magick."
An important guide........2006-11-07
Seizing Power: Reclaiming Our Liberty Through Magick is more than just another magickal guide: it tells how to use magick to handle the two institutions which always seem to try to cripple its effects and access: the Corporation and the State. Rare it is to find an occult how-to guide linked to politics and social issues, but Mace draws important, unusual connections between magickal endeavors and politics in an important guide.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Book Description
Prominent scholars, journalists, historians, and activists detail exactly what the Bush administration has done to undermine American civil liberties.
In 2003, when PublicAffairs and The Century Foundation published an essay collection called The War on Our Freedoms, there was the possibility and the hope that the risks to our liberties would be temporary--a brief era of reaction to already terrible events arising in the wake of 9/11. Today, we understand that the changes set in motion five years ago have broadened as the struggle against terrorism continues.
In this sequel, experts and activists including Alan Brinkley and Joseph Lelyveld, legal scholars Kathleen Sullivan and Stephen Schulhofer, and former government officials John Podesta and Bill Bradley report on the diverse actions, taken in the name of security, that will serve to undermine American liberties, and explain why the consequences of these actions are ultimately counterproductive in preventing future terrorism.
Today, we clearly see a disturbing pattern of undermining the judiciary, intimidating the press, and invading personal privacy. At the same time, government actions have fueled hostility to America in the world at large and in Islamic communities in particular. The terrorists threaten our liberty, but they are not the only ones.
Customer Reviews:
Reclaiming Liberty.......2005-08-18
This book lays out the problems with our Federal Government and practical things that we (as citizens) can do, to bring our government back into the mold of what our founding fathers created. I highly recommend it.
Important Work.......2005-08-04
If you have found yourself concerned, perplexed, and/or outraged with our ever-expanding, over-taxing, constitutional-disregarding government, then this book is like sweet manna from heaven. Kennedy clearly set forth the problems and offers sensible solutions. This is a MUST READ for anyone who hungers for liberty and is disillusioned with the constitution lip-service from our elected representatives. It is time to return to the liberty based society for which our ancestors fought, reject any further erosion of our unalienable rights, and secure these rights by any and all honorable means for future generations...
Truly moving.......2005-08-02
This book tells the truth of what the government is really about, all need to read it and keep an open mind on the subjects in the book. Our freedoms are going away and no one is doing nothing about it. I will tell you this, I rather die, then give up any more freedom!
Book Description
In the opening chapter of this book, Elizabeth Price Foley writes, “The slow, steady, and silent subversion of the Constitution has been a revolution that Americans appear to have slept through, unaware that the blessings of liberty bestowed upon them by the founding generation were being eroded.” She proceeds to explain how, by abandoning the founding principles of limited government and individual liberty, we have become entangled in a labyrinth of laws that regulate virtually every aspect of behavior and limit what we can say, read, see, consume, and do. Foley contends that the United States has become a nation of too many laws where citizens retain precious few pockets of individual liberty.
With a close analysis of urgent constitutional questions—abortion, physician-assisted suicide, medical marijuana, gay marriage, cloning, and U.S. drug policy—Foley shows how current constitutional interpretation has gone astray. Without the bias of any particular political agenda, she argues convincingly that we need to return to original conceptions of the Constitution and restore personal freedoms that have gradually diminished over time.
Customer Reviews:
Too Sure Of Itself For Its Flaws, Interesting Though.......2007-07-15
Books of this sort are interesting but too doctrinaire and selective to be convincing ... surely to the level of assurance suggested. This is furthered by the author -- again not unique to her -- questionable use of history, often ignoring troubling matters that would make her conclusions harder to reach. Thus, even if you respect her argument of libertarian views based on individual sovereignty (I do), how she gets there and how she applies it leaves something to be desired.
A few examples. As is typical of the genre, at least of those favored by the blurbs on the back of the book, the author argues recent courts have 'invented' things to fit the Constitution into what they feel is necessary for society. Interesting. After all, the author opposes Justice John Marshall's (who was at the founding) rejected of applying the Bill of Rights to the states in 1833 (before the 14th Amendment). One can also cite the Slaughterhouse Cases. That was 1873. And, a myriad others before the New Deal. As some note, pre-New Deal cases quite often upheld regulations. The 'Lochner Court' stereotype, notwithstanding.
Or, in general, all the liberty violations upheld in the past by the courts (no sending contraceptives thru the mail, various sexual practices, prohibtion laws [the fact a few did not doesn't suggest 'original understanding' which she claims is a primary drive of her jurisprudence] etc. One might also note times have changed -- there weren't even any police forces back in 1789. Modern society requires more laws (though citations of spitting on the sidewalk as an issue, is that not a public nuisance, is curious); but in many ways we are more free than we were in the past.
This is so even if general principles, though not how they were often applied, might be interpreted differently. She cites Burke ... but he was a conservative who supported many repressive laws on tradition grounds. Selective use of his statements mislead. Likewise, her balancing of state interest at times is rather brief (esp. latter chapters ... the one on illegal drugs are almost conclusionary; the book is under 200pg. w/o notes) and a bit dubious. For instance, as to motorcycle helmets and public health costs, she notes the state generally doesn't pay. What if it did?
The book does have benefits, if we admit to such problems, suggesting that off the top claims and a bit more modesty is often useful in such works. The fact a 'living constitution' approach can use a work of this nature is a bit ironic, but so it goes. I'd add a recent book by Daniel Farber on the Ninth Amendment was also pretty brief, providing some interesting arguments, but not enough depth at times. A good companion volume.
Compelling Libertarian Thesis.......2007-01-15
Bound to be a future classic-- a sort of modern, practical John Stuart Mill "On Liberty"-esque book. An intriguing historical account of the unique features of the American Constitutional structure that have been unfortunately abandoned, leading to a proliferation of significant and trivial laws that restrict individual liberty and expand government's power. Foley's thesis is that there are "twin foundational principles" of American law that make it unique from all prior forms of government: (1) limited government (in terms of the powers granted by the people to their governors); and (2) residual individual sovereignty. She convincingly shows how these principles indicate a harm principle at work in American law-- not just in theory, but in fact.
Most original is her treatment of number 2 (residual individual sovereignty), which she traces back to the original Law of Nations devised by writers influential with the founding fathers, such as Vattel, Grotius and von Puffendorf. To the founding fathers, sovereignty, as defined by this Law of Nations, was understood in a very specific way, to mean complete liberty or power to do as the sovereign pleased, subject only to the principle of "do no harm" (except in self-defense). In the newly formed United States, the founding fathers parsed out to the governors only a very limited portion of sovereignty (limited powers) and kept the residuum in the hands of the people. When paired with the conception that American government was intended to possess power only to protect the people's life, liberty, and property, Foley shows us how the residual sovereignty remaining in the people's hands is very broad and meaningful indeed. This notion was memorialized in the Ninth Amendment (which has been completely ignored by the judiciary, as if it did not exist).
Unlike writers like Joel Feinberg (who is also highly recommended), Foley
offers a comprehensive definition of legal harm that can be applied to judge the legitimacy of all laws. She then proceeds to do so, tackling with finesse and mind-boggling breadth of knowledge issues like sex, drugs and alcohol, reproduction, marriage abortion, assisted suicide and others.
The writing is clear, crisp and entertaining. Her historical research is very original and tight. This book is a great read for anyone who is interested in a deep theory of the American Constitution. Unlike the previous reviewer (who apparently cannot spell), I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone, conservative, liberal, libertarian or anywhere in between. Looking forward to reading her future work.
libetrian with liberal veiws.......2007-01-14
Where are the constitutional values for liberty>? I do not recommend this book.
Average customer rating:
- The future of a people who want to be both ignorant and free
|
Back to the Future: Reclaiming America's Constitutional Heritage
James R. Evans
Manufacturer: Jameson Books
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ASIN: 0915463784 |
Customer Reviews:
The future of a people who want to be both ignorant and free.......1999-05-26
This is a very good overview of the ideas that motive some citizens to work to restore our Constitution as the supreme law of the land. Most people are ignorant of the intent of our Founders concerning the proper relationship between the people and their central government. Thomas Jefferson once noted: "If a Nation,... expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be." This notion was true two hundred years ago, it is true today! WARNING: This book contains politically incorrect material!
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America Beyond Capitalism: Reclaiming Our Wealth, Our Liberty, and Our Democracy.(Book Review) : An article from: International Journal on World Peace
Michael True
Manufacturer: Professors World Peace Academy
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This digital document is an article from International Journal on World Peace, published by Professors World Peace Academy on March 1, 2005. The length of the article is 1063 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: America Beyond Capitalism: Reclaiming Our Wealth, Our Liberty, and Our Democracy.(Book Review)
Author: Michael True
Publication:
International Journal on World Peace (Refereed)
Date: March 1, 2005
Publisher: Professors World Peace Academy
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Page: 83(3)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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Common wealth.(Book Review): An article from: Sojourners Magazine
Bob Hulteen
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Release Date: 2007-06-15 |
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This digital document is an article from Sojourners Magazine, published by Thomson Gale on June 1, 2005. The length of the article is 939 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Common wealth.(Book Review)
Author: Bob Hulteen
Publication:
Sojourners Magazine (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 34
Issue: 6
Page: 45(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Utopian Studies, published by Thomson Gale on December 22, 2005. The length of the article is 1040 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Gar Alperovitz. America beyond Capitalism: Reclaiming our Wealth, Our Liberty, and Our Democracy.(Book review)
Author: Susan Allen
Publication:
Utopian Studies (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 22, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 16
Issue: 3
Page: 496(3)
Article Type: Book review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Books:
- America the Unusual
- American Government and Politics Today: The Essentials 2006-2007 Edition (American Government and Politics Today)
- American Government: Brief Version, Seventh Edition
- American Government: Continuity and Change, 2006 Texas Edition (3rd Edition)
- Armed America: The Remarkable Story of How and Why Guns Became as American as Apple Pie
- Armed Madhouse: Who's Afraid of Osama Wolf?, China Floats, Bush Sinks, The Scheme to Steal '08,No Child's Behind Left, and Other Dispatches from the Front Lines of th
- Breaking Through Bureaucracy: A New Vision for Managing in Government
- Bush at War
- Bushmanders and Bullwinkles: How Politicians Manipulate Electronic Maps and Census Data to Win Elections
- Chaotic Elections! A Mathematician Looks at Voting
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