Socialist Register 2018

Have we now reached ‘the end of history’ with the triumph of capitalist liberal democracy? Is socialism an enemy of democracy? Or could socialism develop, expand and enhance democracy? The antagonism between liberalism and democratic processes is increasingly visible: we can see the contradictions of capitalist globalization, a rise of authoritarian politics in many states, and concepts of post-democracy, anti-politics, and the like gaining currency in theoretical and political debate. This volume seeks a re-appraisal of actually-existing liberal democracy today, but its main goal to help lay the foundations for new visions and practices in the development of socialist democracy. Amidst the contradictions of neoliberal capitalism today, the responsibility to sort out the relationship between socialism and democracy has never been greater. No revival of socialist politics in the 21st century can occur apart from founding new democratic institutions and practices.