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The New Socialist Handbook: Everything You Need to Know About Why It Matters Now
Learn the core principles of socialism -- one of the world's most misunderstood ideologies -- with this easy-to-follow guide for today's political conversation.
From Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal, the U.S. is witnessing a leftward shift that hasn't been seen for decades. But how many Americans truly understand socialism and socialist principles? The New Socialist Handbook is a simple way to learn about this political system and bear witness to its current movement with an educated and informed mind. It discusses topics such as:
Different types of socialism (democratic socialism vs. social democracy vs. eco-socialism, etc.);
How socialism became a dirty word;
Which countries are socialist or have socialist programs;
The way socialism exists in the U.S. today (Medicare, Social Security, etc.);
Socialist suggestions for today's issues (healthcare, infrastructure, economy, etc.);
What can you do to bring about change? (getting involved in politics, educating yourself, demonstrating, etc.)
Perfect for the engaged voter or the armchair political scientist, pundit, enthusiast, or anyone simply looking to get a better intellectual grasp on socialism, The New Socialist Handbook gives meaning and definition to the commonly misunderstood. Author Dan Tucker breaks down these topics in a clear, accessible way and without a political slant. Readers will come away with a better understanding of the history of socialism and what it means in our world today.
From Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal, the U.S. is witnessing a leftward shift that hasn't been seen for decades. But how many Americans truly understand socialism and socialist principles? The New Socialist Handbook is a simple way to learn about this political system and bear witness to its current movement with an educated and informed mind. It discusses topics such as:
Different types of socialism (democratic socialism vs. social democracy vs. eco-socialism, etc.);
How socialism became a dirty word;
Which countries are socialist or have socialist programs;
The way socialism exists in the U.S. today (Medicare, Social Security, etc.);
Socialist suggestions for today's issues (healthcare, infrastructure, economy, etc.);
What can you do to bring about change? (getting involved in politics, educating yourself, demonstrating, etc.)
Perfect for the engaged voter or the armchair political scientist, pundit, enthusiast, or anyone simply looking to get a better intellectual grasp on socialism, The New Socialist Handbook gives meaning and definition to the commonly misunderstood. Author Dan Tucker breaks down these topics in a clear, accessible way and without a political slant. Readers will come away with a better understanding of the history of socialism and what it means in our world today.
- GenresPolitics
176 pages, Paperback
Published May 26, 2020
5 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 8, 2021
This was an amazing primer on the principles, history, and application of Socialism. From the OG Marxist-Engels philosophies, to ways neo-democtatic-socialism can be applied within the United States to bridge the gap between Capitalism and Planned Market economies.
Socialism is ultimately an economic system in which the public as a whole, rather than private individuals, owns or controls the factors of production, including natural resources, labor, entrepreneurship, and capital goods.
Being new to the subject, I thought that reading this material was extremely timely given the current political climate in the United States. The two-party system is extremely flawed and needs to be reformated if we are going to stay afloat as a nation.
In 1891 Marx and Engels wrote about the United States two-party system: "Each of the two major parties which alternately succeed each other in power is itself in turn controlled by people who make a business of politics, who speculate on seats in the legislative assemblies of the Union as well as of the separate states, or who make a living by carrying on agitation for their party and on its victory are rewarded with positions.… We find here two great gangs of political speculators, who alternately take possession of the state power and exploit it by the most corrupt means and for the most corrupt ends—and the nation is powerless against these two great cartels of politicians, who are ostensibly its servants, but in reality dominate and plunder it." - if that isn't still 100% accurate, I don't know what is!
In 2019, Ray Dalio wrote:
"I think that most capitalists don’t know how to divide the economic pie well and most socialists don’t know how to grow it well, yet we are now at a juncture in which either a) people of different ideological inclinations will work together to skillfully re-engineer the system so that the pie is both divided and grown well or b) we will have great conflict and some form of revolution that will hurt most everyone and will shrink the pie."
Is Dalio right that all we need to do is get together and reengineer the system, drawing the best from both economic systems? Are socialists who demand the complete transformation of society seeing the true way? Or are anti-government populists right that government in any form can’t be trusted and only serves to restrict personal freedom?
The way in which we humans govern ourselves is messy, and the disconnect between theory and practice is very real. You may not be the kind of person who enjoys engaging in political discussions, but it’s important to understand the landscape if only for your own internal wayfinding. It is a useful exercise to at least be aware of what others are experiencing, and to try to look at the world through their eyes. Whatever you think of socialist theory, one thing the socialists have right: We’re all in this together.
Socialism is ultimately an economic system in which the public as a whole, rather than private individuals, owns or controls the factors of production, including natural resources, labor, entrepreneurship, and capital goods.
Being new to the subject, I thought that reading this material was extremely timely given the current political climate in the United States. The two-party system is extremely flawed and needs to be reformated if we are going to stay afloat as a nation.
In 1891 Marx and Engels wrote about the United States two-party system: "Each of the two major parties which alternately succeed each other in power is itself in turn controlled by people who make a business of politics, who speculate on seats in the legislative assemblies of the Union as well as of the separate states, or who make a living by carrying on agitation for their party and on its victory are rewarded with positions.… We find here two great gangs of political speculators, who alternately take possession of the state power and exploit it by the most corrupt means and for the most corrupt ends—and the nation is powerless against these two great cartels of politicians, who are ostensibly its servants, but in reality dominate and plunder it." - if that isn't still 100% accurate, I don't know what is!
In 2019, Ray Dalio wrote:
"I think that most capitalists don’t know how to divide the economic pie well and most socialists don’t know how to grow it well, yet we are now at a juncture in which either a) people of different ideological inclinations will work together to skillfully re-engineer the system so that the pie is both divided and grown well or b) we will have great conflict and some form of revolution that will hurt most everyone and will shrink the pie."
Is Dalio right that all we need to do is get together and reengineer the system, drawing the best from both economic systems? Are socialists who demand the complete transformation of society seeing the true way? Or are anti-government populists right that government in any form can’t be trusted and only serves to restrict personal freedom?
The way in which we humans govern ourselves is messy, and the disconnect between theory and practice is very real. You may not be the kind of person who enjoys engaging in political discussions, but it’s important to understand the landscape if only for your own internal wayfinding. It is a useful exercise to at least be aware of what others are experiencing, and to try to look at the world through their eyes. Whatever you think of socialist theory, one thing the socialists have right: We’re all in this together.
February 17, 2025
Such an easy read and great beginner book - didn’t make me feel dumb reading it
May 28, 2021
This book is a short introduction to Socialism narrated from the ideas of western political thinkers , revolutionaries Marx , Engels, Rosa Luxembourg , Bernstein, Lenin etc.
However the idea of socialism cannot be properly explained without understanding of various working class movements , it's history and their complex interaction with world of ideas and politics.
Author spends a huge part explaining American Socialism (keeping US audience in mind) in the 2nd half. For contemporary Americans this could of some interest.
However the idea of socialism cannot be properly explained without understanding of various working class movements , it's history and their complex interaction with world of ideas and politics.
Author spends a huge part explaining American Socialism (keeping US audience in mind) in the 2nd half. For contemporary Americans this could of some interest.
January 8, 2022
Learned so much and genuinely enjoyed doing so while reading this novel. Extremely helpful if you want to get a better grip on these ideas and their origins. Everything was explained pretty well and wasn't too difficult to comprehend, which was helpful for an introduction into the topic and a general overview.
September 2, 2020
Smart, informative, and with a touch of humor, this was a great read on socialism that covers a broad history. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to keep up with the political zeitgeist.
March 3, 2021
Workers of the world unite!!
June 14, 2022
Felt a little silly picking this up at the library but I learned some interesting things. Inc about Victor Berger... Google him!
March 5, 2024
“I am not a Marxist”
- Karl Marx
- Karl Marx
May 17, 2024
A good primer
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews