On the Transition to Socialism

• Author: Paul M. Sweezy

• Publisher: Aakar Books

• Language: English

• Publication Year: 2023

• Edition: 2nd Edition

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 135

• ISBN: 9789350020739

About The Book:

On the Transition to Socialism explores the critical challenges faced by countries in transition from capitalism to socialism, a subject of profound importance in the modern world. Paul M. Sweezy, co-editor of Monthly Review, delves into the experiences of various socialist and transitional states such as the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, North Korea, North Vietnam, China, and Cuba. The book analyzes the economic, social, and political dimensions of these transitions, particularly focusing on the problems these countries encounter as they seek to establish new forms of governance and economic systems.

The discussion begins with an article by Sweezy published in 1968, which sparked a series of exchanges with Charles Bettelheim, Director of Studies at the School for Higher Studies in Social and Economic Science, the Sorbonne. These exchanges, along with additional articles from Monthly Review, contribute to the exploration of the strategies and difficulties faced by countries attempting to move beyond capitalism, while avoiding the trap of creating a "new capitalism" under the guise of socialist governance.

This work examines the complexities of building a socialist society after the destruction of the old order, considering the potential for state-centric capitalism to emerge amidst political and economic pressures. Through this series of essays, Sweezy provides valuable insights into the practicalities and theoretical considerations of socialist transition in the modern era.