Suchergebnisse

The triumphalist thesis that liberalism has proven to be a superior form of political & economic organization is examined in light of recent events in Eastern Europe. It is argued that the demise of communism is not evidence that liberalism has triumphed nor does it preclude some alternative set of allocation principles from being superior to either communism or liberalism. Two ways in which the liberal triumph is cast are explored: as one of historical necessity, according to which liberalism & communism are world-historical opposites; & as a situation in which worldwide consensus is reached on the superiority of liberalism. Other issues explored are: democracy & oligarchy in relation to the triumphalist thesis, the myth of the autonomous state, & alternatives to capitalism & socialism. It is concluded that the financial, technical, & managerial resources of the West could go far in bringing Eastern Europe to a state of material sufficiency "without mortgaging the minds of the citizenry.". 1 Reference. W. Howard