Beyond capitalism and liberal democracy

On the relevance of GDH Cole's sociological critique and alternative

Bibliographic Data

ID2305847
AuthorsCharles Masquelier (0000-0003-1850-6731, University of Surrey, corresponding author), Matt Dawson (0000-0002-6493-6209, University of Glasgow)
Year2016
Volume64
Issue1
Pages3-21
Publication date2016-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCurrent Sociology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0011-3921 • E-ISSN: 1461-7064
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0011392115588354
OpenAlexW1799958114
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited31

This article argues for a return to the social thought of the often ignored early 20th-century English thinker GDH Cole. The authors contend that Cole combined a sociological critique of capitalism and liberal democracy with a well-developed alternative in his work on guild socialism bearing particular relevance to advanced capitalist societies. Both of these, with their focus on the limitations on 'free communal service' in associations and the inability of capitalism to yield emancipation in either production or consumption, are relevant to social theorists looking to understand, critique and contribute to the subversion of neoliberalism. Therefore, the authors suggest that Cole's associational sociology, and the invitation it provides to think of formations beyond capitalism and liberal democracy, is a timely and valuable resource which should be returned to

Capitalism · Democracy · Economics · Emancipation · Liberalism · Neoclassical economics · Neoliberalism (international relations) · Political science · Politics · Relevance (law) · Social science · Socialism · Sociology · Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice · Housing, Finance, and Neoliberalism · Law · Political Economy and Marxism

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