This visionary book seeks to uncover the main barriers to achieving greater social justice in existing twenty-first century capitalism. Developing a comprehensive consequentialist theory of justice applied to today's global situation, Mike Berry adopts the thesis that, in order to move towards a more just world, the weaknesses of liberal democracy must be overcome through reconstructing robust, resilient social democracies.
Arguing for the necessary interrelation of justice and democracy, the book presents a detailed analysis of the development of and threats to western democracy in the current phase of global capitalism. Chapters offer a progressive case for a reconstructed social democracy, rather than piecemeal reform of existing liberal democratic regimes. Berry examines how the oligarchic trajectory of capitalism must be stymied through radical institutional change and continual monitoring. The book concludes that this is a continuing political project, calling for new modes of mobilisation and the ecological emergence of new values and world views.
Introducing the critical role of uncertainty and the relevance of real time to the question of progress defined as increasing justice, this book will be critical reading for scholars and students of political philosophy, political economy and public policy. It will also be beneficial for progressive policy makers and advisers questioning existing policy platforms and settings.
Industry Reviews
'Mike Berry's latest book gives us a basis for considering what a more disruptive and forward looking political economic project could be. Political economists have not always been all that clear in spelling out their politics. By this, I mean much more than a failure to spell out the 'mechanics' of how they think their critique of the status quo can be turned into an effective political program (which proved a fateful lacuna in Marx's case). One aspect of the dissensus Berry is giving voice to engages fundamental ideas about justice and the good society. Whether you agree with Berry or not, he offers a basis on which we can start to think about what we want governments, markets and the community to do, and why.' -- Rob Watts, Journal of Australian Political Economy
'Justice and Democracy is a well-written and engaging book. Being true to his rejection of a clear division of intellectual labour between a political philosopher and social scientist, Berry juxtaposes nicely philosophical thinking on justice with rich historical and political economy narratives of various current issues ranging from surveillance capitalism and the rise of populism to climate change and global pandemic.'> -- Sine Bag?atur, Housing, Theory and Society
'This work is accessible to newcomers and will keep old hands enthralled.' -- Anitra Nelson, Progress in Political Economy
'A thorough reappraisal of the strained relationship between justice and democracy has never been more important than in our current global context of the Great Unsettling. Mike Berry not only offers a penetrating historical analysis of this relationship, but also provides a thoughtful roadmap to social justice based on the necessary restructuring of global capitalism. Rejecting both neoliberal market globalism and the populist retreat to economic nationalism, this book calls instead for a reglobalization of the enduring social democratic principles of equality, solidarity, and anti-authoritarianism. A must-read!' -- Manfred B. Steger, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, US and Western Sydney University, Australia
