Democratic capitalism is beset with many problems producing rising inequality and growing authoritarianism. Examples include homelessness, food insecurity, child poverty, mass killings, and rising antisemitism. These problems encourage the election of authoritarian leaders. This book describes a practical approach to finding solutions to these problems with a new way to coordinate social action, systematic coordinated inter-organizational networks or SCIONs. SCIONs avoid the problems of market and state coordination that have failed to handle these crises.
To illustrate this new approach to creating social change this book describes four SCIONs that would:
- Increase the amount and radicalness of product or service innovation.
- Create a more diverse skilled labor force.
- Reduce the spiral in the cost of health and welfare programs.
- Restore the balance between law and freedom in community safety.
These objectives will reduce inequality and the movement towards authoritarianism. They are also mechanisms for rebuilding trust and social capital, critical foundations of democracy.
As a new mode of coordination, SCIONs provide a platform for continued dialogue among diverse viewpoints, decentralize problem solving, and stimulate considerable organizational adaptiveness.
This macro sociological theory offers policy guidelines that might lead to future jobs for sociologists, provide tools to overcome managerial satisficing, and speed responses to change. A detailed case study is provided with a discussion of the feasibility of creating SCIONs, and whether or not elites will resist this new coordination mode.
Given the broad range of topics, this book is relevant for many courses in the social sciences, those interested in policy and social change, as well as the general public.
This macro sociological theory offers policy guidelines that might lead to future jobs for sociologists, provide tools to overcome managerial satisficing, and speed responses to change. A detailed case study is provided with a discussion of the feasibility of creating SCIONs, and whether or not elites will resist this new coordination mode.
Reviews
"Solving Crises in Capitalism and Democracy is interesting and innovative, offering a unique theoretical argument that combines organizational issues and large scale political and economic problems the world is dealing with in a brilliant way. The book is thought provoking, offering a new and needed perspective on inter-organization networks and innovation. It will be an important resource for students and instructors in the social and political sciences!"
Amalya L. Oliver, Professor of Sociology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
"This book is helpful for current debates in showing links between the economy and rise of right-wing populism. Its analytical approach detaches the conversation about solutions from individual level to organizational level in an insightful way. It addresses the most important challenges faced by society today and encourages new thinking about finding solutions that is helpful."
Jackie Smith, Professor of Sociology, University of Pittsburgh
Introduction: The Extent of the Crisis in Democratic Capitalism and a
Solution
1. A Case Study of A SCION that Reduced Social Inequality in Health
2. The Evolution of Knowledge Growth and Social Fragmentation
3. Market and State Coordination Failures in Providing Increased Radical
Innovation, More Diverse Skill Formation, Customized Social Support, and a
Balance Between Order and Freedom in Communites
4. A New Coordination Mode, SCIONs, in Four Arenas: Radical Innovation,
Diverse Skill-set Formation, Customization of Welfare Services, and A Balance
Between Order and Freedom in Communities
5. The Practicality of SCIONs; Their Potential and the Problem of Opposition:
Global Firms, Elites, and Neoliberal Ideology
Conclusion: Advancing a New Social Science Paradigm, An Integrated Paradigm
for Sociology, and Looking at Societys Future
Jerald Hage is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Maryland, College Park, USA. He has written 20 books and a number of important papers. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and of the American Sociological Research Association. A former president of the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics, he has had visiting professorships in a number of countries.
Wilbur C. Hadden is Research Scientist at the Center for Innovation, Department of Sociology, University of Maryland at College Park, USA. His research has documented social inequalities and social determinants of health. He has international experience working in Thailand, Pakistan, and China.
