Reviews

Postcapitalism: A Guide to Our Future by Paul Mason

emselilly's review

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4.0

Sometimes when I was reading this book I was like yes, perfect, this is the only way to solve the world, this is the answer to solve climate change and neo-liberalism failing, but in the end, no matter how much I want it to be true, it still seems unrealistic. While the book is really good as it looks at many economic theories, and then counter-theories and then proves them wrong, it doesn't really answer the question of how to politically make this happen. I found myself agreeing with all the chapters until the last one which comes up with a vague outline for the future/transition. I couldn't agree with most of them, regardless of Mason's justifications.
It's a very well written book, extremely interesting and I've already recommended the book to many friends, but in the end, I can't tell if I'm more or less hopeful about the solving of climate change/the economy/ social justice than before.

teokajlibroj's review

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2.0

Disappointingly dull and boring

hothotheat's review

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started too long ago that i would need to re-read 

ivor's review

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informative medium-paced

3.75

manilea's review

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challenging hopeful informative slow-paced

4.5

johnayliff's review against another edition

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5.0

Most of the book is a shocking and convincing case for why capitalism (and neoliberalism in particular) is not sustainable, and is likely to collapse in the near future. The section on postcapitalism itself, and how a transition from capitalism to postcapitalism might be achieved, occupies only the last couple of chapters--and while it seems possible, it also seems unreasonably optimistic. But perhaps the future will prove me wrong.

tristanpej's review

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5.0

Great book for explaining where we are in the cycles of centuries and where we must go.

pcalado's review

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3.0

The ideas are arguable, but the content is very informative.

hthg's review against another edition

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5.0

As someone with very little knowledge about economy, finance, government, or anything related, this was a very interesting and inspiring book.

sh00's review against another edition

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4.0

Не так уж часто я говорю о книгах с использованием выражения "продрался сквозь" - здесь же то самое выражение. Единственное, о чём надо сказать - это не вина автора, скорее, моя общая погружённость в прочие вопросы и лёгкий осенний спад активности - а до моей витаминной бомбы ещё месяц.

Собственно, это - самая ожидаемая мной книга года и она же стала определённым разочарованием. Ощущение повторения повторения. "Они собрались в старой бане, надели запонки и гетры и застучали в стену лбами, считая дни и километры". Определённо, левая Европа наметила для себя тренды и с трудом поворачивает голову в сторону.

Выкладки и исторический анализ в начале и середине книги хорошие, обращение к теории Кондратьева - прелестное, а вот статистический аппарат, натянутый на неё, лично мне показался сомнительным.

К тому же вместо обещанной панацеи в конце был дан даже не дженерик, а некий набор общих рекомендаций, да к тому же в стиле "лечить вас буду не я, а какой-нибудь другой доктор". Короче, так себе вышло, но кое-что всё же удалось для себя вынести.