Understanding Socialism

De: Richard D. Wolff

Narrado por: Rick Adamson

Duración: 5 h y 14 m

Resumen del Editor

A blend of history, analysis, and theory, Understanding Socialism is an honest and approachable text that knocks down false narratives, confronts failures and challenges of various socialist experiments throughout history, and offers a path to a new socialism based on workplace democracy. This audio edition also incudes Richard D. Wolff's bestselling essay Understanding Marxism, which asks the question "Why should we pay attention to the great social critics like Marx?"

©2019 Richard D. Wolff (P)2021 Tantor

Superb Audiobook

Too often, I find proponents of capitalism straw manning socialism. Even for the staunchest anarcho-capitalist, this book fascinatingly reveals what socialism is- and why it makes sense.

An easily digestible summary

Highly recommend, straight forward, easy to understand.

If one were to listen to an audiobook that has all of Karl Marx's, Lenin's, and others writings it would take 30+ hours. This audio book is a straight forward summary in less than 6 hours.

Does what it says on the cover.

Helped me to understand what socialism is at it's core. No political rhetoric to camouflage some kind of agenda hiding between the lines (any agenda therein should be more than apparent, as socialism has enough appeal to warrant consideration by all but the most libertarian of readers). It takes a fair account of the criticisms leveled at socialism and its perceived failures throughout the 20th century and addresses them more than adequately. I do believe that people fear what they don't understand, and more than anything this short summary of socialism helped me to understand that I had not previously understood socialism properly or given it the necessary amount of thought regarding the role it could play, and has played in my life. I was a bit frustrated at times when I felt like the writing was skirting around the matter of implementation of socialist principles in modern day capitalism - thinking "ok, but when the rubber meets the road on making these ideas a reality in the every day lives of Americans, how can we expect to see this play out?" And although my question is addressed somewhat in the book, I accepted that doing so in great detail was not the point of the book; the point of the book is to explain socialism to those who have only heard of it in a derogatory context because they live in a capitalist paradigm. The issue of implementation is addressed more holistically and quite effectively in Dr. Wolff's book "Democracy at Work: A Cure for Capitalism."

TL;DR If you hear "socialism" being thrown around but you want an honest breakdown of what socialism means in theory and in practice -not what it means to political pundits- then read/listen to this book. It's short, to the point and well-narrated, and you'll come away with an understanding of the material that won't leave you at the disposal of those that want to 'boogey-man' socialism or socialistic programs out of the conversation/debate.

A great introduction

Professor Wolff does a great job explaining the basics of Marx and socialism, the history of the moment, and it’s relevance today. For those with only a surface level understanding (or misunderstanding) of the subject this is a good, cogent introduction without having to dive into an overly academic tome.

Key tool for those willing to learn.

While the ideas this book addresses have been horribly and successfully demonized. It’s great to have a better understanding beyond the mainstream rhetoric. History has always been written by the victorious, but knowledge and wisdom prevails even over conquerors.

A Good Starting Place

A bit short, but a great 1st introduction ti the concepts and history of Socialism.

Excellent intro to Socialism

Excellent intro into the historical evolution of socialism and Marxism. Good explanation of workplace democracy.

incredible

This book does an excellent job of summarizing the history of the ideology and placing it in context in our modern society. Eloquent and in simple terms with excellent analogies, I can only give 5 stars.

Very Enlightening

Fantastic book! Good narration. Just over 5 hours, but they give you a lot here. He tells the facts, and myths on Socialism. The history. The good, and the bad. Also, the last hour is Understanding Marxism, which was just as good, and info packed. Pick this up.

Dr Wolff writes plainly and untangles the lies.

This was an easy listen, and enjoyable too. Most of which I had learned from Democracy at Work. Pity not more politicians have the time nor the desire to entertain any of the counter narratives to the "Capitalism is the best thing since sliced bread" glib nonsense the mainstream media only knows.