Socialism's Burden: Toward a “Thin” Definition of Socialism

The Left and the Reign of God

“…The day that socialism takes center stage, however, will also be the day that poverty will be eradicated, consumer goods will be plentiful, racism and sexism will cease to exist, environmental degradation will evaporate, and authoritarian work structures dismantled, it was often argued. (Cullenberg 1992, 64Á/5) I find much of value in Cullenberg's argument if it is read as suggesting that socialism's woes stem, at least in part, from a failure to make its Utopianism explicit. In other words, socialism has been implicitly Utopian while presenting itself (to others and to itself) as realist.…”

Value, Cooperatives, and Class Justice

“…Exploitation can be defined in one of two ways. A strong definition holds that only the workers who produce surplus value have the right to appropriate it; a weak definition maintains that workers who produce surplus value must not be excluded from appropriating that value but does not exclude other stakeholders from participating (Cullenberg 1992(Cullenberg , 1998DeMartino 2003). In either case, worker cooperatives can be understood as one means by which workers become their own appropriators and thus eliminate the exploitation inherent in capitalism.…”

Cooperation, Surplus Appropriation, and the Law's Enjoyment

“…Communism is just because, by definition, it is nonexploitative (see Cullenberg 1992 and DeMartino 2003 for discussion of this perspective). Others emphasize the democratic organization of the workplace and the ability of worker-owners to decide how to distribute surplus in ways that enhance social well-being and preserve the commonwealth.…”