Ronald M Glassman Livres

The book delves into the emergence of 'caring capitalism' as a response to the social service needs arising from the high-tech economy, such as child care, elder care, and rising health care costs. It examines global initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges, highlighting the pressures exerted by the new middle class on nations to adapt. Through analysis of various international efforts, the book explores how societies are attempting to balance technological advancements with essential social services, creating a new paradigm in capitalism.

The book explores the dynamics of democracy and despotism across various social structures, including tribes, city-states, and nation-states. Utilizing a blend of Weberian, Aristotelian, evolutionary anthropological, and feminist theories, it offers a comparative-historical perspective. Central to the analysis is the duality of human nature, examining how humans navigate their instincts as animals alongside their capacity for conscious thought.

Focusing on the threats to democracy in the 21st century, this analysis explores how oligarchy, tyranny, totalitarianism, and ochlocracy challenge democratic ideals. It traces these governance forms from ancient to modern times, highlighting the impact of socio-economic transitions, including shifts towards high-tech capitalism and evolving cultural norms around equality and secular ethics. The author illustrates how difficulties in these transitions can lead to the rise of undemocratic governance, threatening democratic stability globally.

Focusing on the processes that stabilize democracy, this book offers a socio-historical analysis that examines the future prospects of democratic governance. It delves into the factors influencing democratic stability and the challenges faced, providing insights into the evolution and sustainability of democratic systems.

One of the basic theories of politics, put forth by Aristotle centuries ago, is the theory of the middle class and its causal link with democracy. According to Aristotle, a large, prosperous middle class may mediate between rich and poor, creating the structural foundation upon which democratic political processes may operate.Beyond Aristotelian theory, the specifically commercial nature of the middle class is also made central, as the democratic institutions of law, power limitation, and electoral participation were carried by a commercial middle class.This volume traces the development of democracy and the rise of the commercial middle class from ancient Greece to Renaissance Italy, to post-feudal Europe. Socialism, communism and fascism are discussed as reactions to capitalist-democracy. The book concludes with an analysis of the structural and cultural bases of democracy.