# Etwas Sozialismus im Kapitalismus ist nicht genug – von Bhaskar Sunkara

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Podcast: [JACOBIN Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/jacobin-podcast-6754014)
Published: 2026-05-07T07:55:38+00:00
Episode link: https://jacobinpodcast.podigee.io/749-etwas-sozialismus-im-kapitalismus-ist-nicht-genug-von-bhaskar-sunkara
Audio file: https://audio.podigee-cdn.net/2482428-m-75ed7aaa6fd0d75cfbb079cd13a5901d.mp3?source=feed
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Duration seconds: 1722

## Resource

Bhaskar Sunkara argues that true socialism must go beyond mere capitalist reform to achieve economic democracy. He posits that the movement must transition from defensive reforms to an active program of reclaiming production and political power.

## Highlights
- Main idea: Socialism must aim for a society where survival is no longer dependent on market volatility
- Failure mode: Social democracy fails when it strengthens political rights but leaves investment power in the hands of capitalists
- Practical takeaway: Economic democracy requires extending democratic participation from the ballot box to the workplace
- Historical lesson: The Meidner Plan in Sweden demonstrates the potential—and the intense capitalist resistance—to shifting ownership to workers
- Strategic necessity: The left must move from a 'war of position' (static defense) to a 'war of maneuver' (active transformation)

## Topics

Socialism, Capitalism, Economic Democracy, Labor Movements, Social Democracy, Class Struggle, Political Economy, Meidner Plan

## Chapters
- 1:00 — Reflections on Failure and the Origin of Theory: Sunkara reflects on his early experiences with failure and how Alan Milward's work provided a materialist framework for understanding capitalism.
- 3:10 — Capitalism as a Fundamental System: An analysis of capitalism not as a mere economic sector, but as the foundational logic governing modern global society.
- 5:20 — The Core Socialist Promise: The argument that essential needs like housing should be decoupled from market position and economic status.
- 9:30 — The Pitfalls of Centralized Planning: A discussion on the historical difficulties of administrative planning and the distortions caused by production quotas.
- 13:50 — The Limits of Social Democracy: Examining why the Swedish model faced collapse when economic growth slowed and capital resisted structural shifts.
- 20:10 — Towards Economic Democracy: Proposing a model where company membership is a form of political community based on production rather than financial stake.
- 26:30 — Reconnecting with the Working Class: A call for the left to organize workers and implement a transformative program to achieve a post-capitalist future.

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## Transcript

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