DESTROYING DEMOCRACY, neoliberal capitalism and the rise of authoritarian politics

224pp., paperback, Democratic Marxism series, Johannesburg, 2021

Contributions include:

"The Crisis of Democracy: Neoliberal capitalism, authoritarianism and reclaiming democracy" by Michelle Williams

"The Rise of Eco-Fascism" by Vishwas Satgar

"The Dialectic of Democracy: Capitalism, populism and working-class politics" by Devan Pillay

"Democracy and the Right to Know in South Africa’s Capitalist Transition" by Dale McKinley

"South Africa’s Post-Apartheid Media and Democracy" by Mandla J. Radebe

"Securitising Protests as Domestic Instability in South Africa" by Jane Duncan

"Populism and Fascism: Lessons from the 1920s Ku Klux Klan" by Linda Gordon

"Contributors draw on Marxist theoretical tools to expose deep tensions between neoliberal capitalism and democracy while determinedly refusing repressive alternatives inspired by orthodox Marxism. Their project is one of democratic and ecological socialism. This book will constitute a stimulating and valuable resource to the many who are committed to that project." Daryl Glaser, Professor of Political Studies, University of the Witwatersrand

"This volume makes a compelling case for why fascist populist movements are manifestations of broad crises at the heart of modern globalising capitalism. Williams and Satgar have assembled an impressive range of scholars who have spent years reflecting on these issues. The book is timely and deserves to be read widely." Gilbert M. Khadiagala, Professor of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand

Michelle Williams is Professor of Sociology and Chairperson of the Global Labour University at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

Vishwas Satgar is Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He is the editor of the Democratic Marxism series and principal investigator for the Emancipatory Futures Studies in the Anthropocene project.