The Socialist Alternative--Real Human Development.

• Author: Burke, R.
• Position: Book review

The Socialist Alternative--Real Human Development, by Michael A. Lebowitz, Monthly Review Press, 2010, 191 pages, $15.95, ISBN 978-1-58367-214-3

Any hope for a revitalization of the World Left inevitably involves a rethinking of the concept of Socialism. Old formulas, handed down from the days of the Leninist party-state, cannot be offered as a response for today's situation. In this rethinking of the socialist project, books like Michael A. Lebowitz's The Socialist Alternative--Real Human Development are a welcome addition to the debate.

Applying ideas drawn from his study of Marxism and practical work from his involvement with the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela, Lebowitz attempts to define exactly what is necessary for a socialist society to be successful. He begins with his concept of the "socialist triangle," the three factors necessary to build the socialist alternative.

The first of these is social ownership, the idea that ownership of and control over productive activity should belong collectively to those who are affected by that activity: workers, consumers, and citizens. Here Lebowitz makes reference to the work of Pat Devine. While he agrees with Devine on the necessity of this form of ownership to any viable alternative, he states that it is only one side of the triangle and therefore not sufficient. Devine himself would no doubt agree with this conclusion. While the concept of social ownership is an important part of De-vine's model of participatory planning through negotiated cooperation, the bulk of his book, Democracy and Economic Planning, is devoted to addressing the same concerns that Lebowitz explores in The Socialist Alternative.

The second side of the socialist triangle is worker self-management. Again, while necessary, worker management is not sufficient for the construction of socialism. The danger of sectional interests working for their own benefit rather than that of the common good remains a major problem.

Here Lebowitz calls for the third side of the socialist triangle, the need for a "solidarian society" that would encourage the development of activities beneficial to the larger community. By concentrating on economic goals that prioritize social need rather than individual enrichment Lebowitz hopes to encourage the development of a greater degree of social solidarity.

Lebowitz sees in the development of workers' and community councils the beginnings of a new socialist state. Elected governments are the...