Socialism -- the tragedy of an idea : possible? inevitable? desirable?

This book explores the idea of socialism from three angles and raises the questions if socialism is possible, inevitable, and desirable. Socialism as an economic and societal system was possible based on the two most important pillars of Marxian political economy: State ownership in the means of production and mandatory central planning (command economy). Nevertheless, these two characteristics are compatible only with dictatorship. On this basis, socialism is neither inevitable nor desirable, because it excludes competition, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. The three questions are analyzed through the academic work of five towering figures: Joseph A. Schumpeter, Karl Polanyi, Friedrich A. Hayek, Karl Popper, and Hannah Arendt. The theoretical findings and inferences resulting from this analysis are compared with the reality of socialism as it existed rather than an imaginary uncontroversial blueprint of socialism. The book discusses the evolution of Soviet communism and its attempts with market reforms to solve its inherent contradictions. It concludes that totalitarian regimes tend to fail in reforms because market freedom is inconsistent with totalitarian control. The author makes a strong case against dictatorship, also in the context of the spreading of nationalist populism around the globe. This book is a must-read for everybody interested in a better understanding of the ideas of socialism, totalitarianism, and populism. Preface......Page 6 Contents......Page 11 1.1 Personal Sketches with Historical Background......Page 12 1.2 Grappling with Socialism in the Middle of the Last Century......Page 22 1.3 Soviet Genesis—The Tragedy of Socialism......Page 24 2.1 What is Socialism?......Page 36 2.2 Two Books—Two Ruptures......Page 46 2.3 The Duel in Five Books......Page 55 2.4 Das Problem......Page 61 3.1 Harmony of the Conservative and the Socialist Views......Page 78 3.2 The Liberal Answer......Page 90 4.1 Individualism and Collectivism......Page 100 4.2 Superiority of Socialism?......Page 106 4.3 Reform = Retreat......Page 114 4.4 State and Socialism......Page 123 4.5 Money and Market......Page 132 4.6 Socialism and Democracy......Page 140 4.7 Socialism and Fascism......Page 147 4.8 Ramifications of Socialism......Page 155 5 Concluding Remarks: Historicism Leads to Dictatorship......Page 160 References......Page 170 Preface 6 Contents 11 1 Introduction 12 1.1 Personal Sketches with Historical Background 12 1.2 Grappling with Socialism in the Middle of the Last Century 22 1.3 Soviet Genesis—The Tragedy of Socialism 24 2 Is Socialism Possible? 36 2.1 What is Socialism? 36 2.2 Two Books—Two Ruptures 46 2.3 The Duel in Five Books 55 2.4 Das Problem 61 3 Is Socialism Inevitable? 78 3.1 Harmony of the Conservative and the Socialist Views 78 3.2 The Liberal Answer 90 4 Is Socialism Desirable? 100 4.1 Individualism and Collectivism 100 4.2 Superiority of Socialism? 106 4.3 Reform = Retreat 114 4.4 State and Socialism 123 4.5 Money and Market 132 4.6 Socialism and Democracy 140 4.7 Socialism and Fascism 147 4.8 Ramifications of Socialism 155 5 Concluding Remarks: Historicism Leads to Dictatorship 160 References 170