classes and class conflict during the present capitalist crisis erik olin wright university of...
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Classes and Class Conflict Classes and Class Conflict during the present during the present
Capitalist CrisisCapitalist CrisisErik Olin WrightErik Olin Wright
University of WisconsinUniversity of Wisconsin
December, 2011December, 2011
Conditions for Conditions for Class compromise in the Class compromise in the
“Golden Age” “Golden Age” of developed capitalismof developed capitalism
(1950s-early 1970s)(1950s-early 1970s)
Real
izati
on o
f cla
ss In
tere
sts
Popular power strongweak
weak
strong
Class interests and Popular power
The working class
Real
izati
on o
f cla
ss In
tere
sts
Popular power strongweak
weak
strong
Class interests and Popular power
Region of curve for positive class compromise
The working class
The capitalist class
Real
izati
on o
f Int
eres
ts o
f Cap
ital
Popular power strongweak
weak
strong
Region excluded by legal rules and public policy of the democratic affirmative state
Modal country
Capitalist interests and Popular power in the “Golden Age”
Region of curve for positive class compromise
Going beyond capitalism: The Transition Trough Problem
Transition trough
Capitalism
Socialism
Beginning of transition to socialism
Mat
eria
l wel
fare
of m
edia
n pe
rson
Historical time
Hypothetical trajectories
The future
Observable trajectory
The current era of The current era of stagnation and crisisstagnation and crisis
Real
izati
on o
f Int
eres
ts o
f Cap
ital
Popular power strongweak
weak
strong
Golden Age
Real
izati
on o
f Int
eres
ts o
f Cap
ital
Popular power strongweak
weak
strong
Current Era of Stagnation & Crisis
Effects of neoliberalism
Effects of financialization and globalization
Effects of austerity and attack on democratic empowerment
The Transition Trough Problem: Golden Age
Transition trough
Capitalism
Socialism
Beginning of transition to socialism
Mat
eria
l wel
fare
of m
edia
n pe
rson
Historical time
Hypothetical trajectories
The future
Observable trajectory
The Transition Trough Problem: current era
Transition trough
Capitalism
Socialism
Beginning of transition to socialism
Mat
eria
l wel
fare
of m
edia
n pe
rson
Historical time
Hypothetical trajectories
The future
Observable trajectory
Three propositionsThree propositions
1.1.The transition trough remains a fundamental obstacle The transition trough remains a fundamental obstacle to transcending capitalism through democratic meansto transcending capitalism through democratic means
2.Nondemocratic transformations of capitalism will not result in democratic-egalitarian socialism
3.The central immediate task, therefore, is how to restore the conditions for positive compromise
Three propositionsThree propositions
1.1.The transition trough remains a fundamental obstacle The transition trough remains a fundamental obstacle to transcending capitalism through democratic meansto transcending capitalism through democratic means
2.2.Nondemocratic transformations of capitalism will not Nondemocratic transformations of capitalism will not result in democratic-egalitarian socialismresult in democratic-egalitarian socialism
3.The central immediate task, therefore, is how to restore the conditions for positive compromise
Three propositionsThree propositions
1.1.The transition trough remains a fundamental obstacle The transition trough remains a fundamental obstacle to transcending capitalism through democratic meansto transcending capitalism through democratic means
2.2.Nondemocratic transformations of capitalism will not Nondemocratic transformations of capitalism will not result in democratic-egalitarian socialismresult in democratic-egalitarian socialism
3.The central immediate task, therefore, is how to restore the conditions for positive compromise
Real
izati
on o
f Int
eres
ts o
f Cap
ital
Popular power strongweak
weak
strong
Transforming the conditions for class compromise
Democratically regulate finance and strengthen geographically rooted capital accumulation
Deepen democracy
Reconstruct the affirmative state