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A review by itsjunghan
We Own the Future: Democratic Socialism—American Style by Peter Dreier, Michael Kazin, Kate Aronoff
2.0
[2.5 stars] An anthology of essays examining American politics, economics, and society through a democratic socialist lens. I picked this book up after an acquaintance’s positive review, hoping to learn more about the application of democratic socialism but ultimately found it lacking. A majority of essays were written by academics and think tank-ers, ironically showing that even in a book about the power of the working class, the editors still failed to center working class voices of color and movement building examples. And because of that, what was supposed to be a book about democratic socialism actually made a strong case for social democracy where organizing is simply a means to a policy change end.
It should be no surprise that Dorothy Roberts’ essay on the limits of Medicare for All for Black communities and especially Black women, pushed forth the type of deep intersectional analysis I was hoping for in every essay. Other essays on “Governing Socialism” and “Democracy, Equality, & the Future of Workers” were also standouts in blending theory and application.
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this book for those new to learning about democratic socialist theory or ways to apply it in their organizing; surely there are better essays on Truthout and Jacobin, essay collections from publishers like Haymarket and AK Press, and case studies from DSA chapters. I do think some essays would be strong syllabus additions for an undergraduate or graduate sociology or social work policy or macro practice class, where the focus is academic essays on social democracy and the historical conditions that demand it.
Looking back, I should’ve known from the beginning that We Own The Future would frustrate and disappoint me after the opening essay tracing democratic socialist history by two of the white male editors credited Gloria Steinem’s 1960’s and 70’s activism with popularizing intersectionality, an assertion that’s both misogynoirist and temporally inaccurate. So, if you decide to dive in for a cover to cover read, do so at your own risk and don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Goodreads Challenge: 30/72
Popsugar Reading Challenge: a book you picked up because the title caught your attention
Femibooks Nonfiction Reading Challenge: a book about economics
It should be no surprise that Dorothy Roberts’ essay on the limits of Medicare for All for Black communities and especially Black women, pushed forth the type of deep intersectional analysis I was hoping for in every essay. Other essays on “Governing Socialism” and “Democracy, Equality, & the Future of Workers” were also standouts in blending theory and application.
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this book for those new to learning about democratic socialist theory or ways to apply it in their organizing; surely there are better essays on Truthout and Jacobin, essay collections from publishers like Haymarket and AK Press, and case studies from DSA chapters. I do think some essays would be strong syllabus additions for an undergraduate or graduate sociology or social work policy or macro practice class, where the focus is academic essays on social democracy and the historical conditions that demand it.
Looking back, I should’ve known from the beginning that We Own The Future would frustrate and disappoint me after the opening essay tracing democratic socialist history by two of the white male editors credited Gloria Steinem’s 1960’s and 70’s activism with popularizing intersectionality, an assertion that’s both misogynoirist and temporally inaccurate. So, if you decide to dive in for a cover to cover read, do so at your own risk and don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Goodreads Challenge: 30/72
Popsugar Reading Challenge: a book you picked up because the title caught your attention
Femibooks Nonfiction Reading Challenge: a book about economics