Participatory socialism continues with discussions of social lottery for seats in higher education to ensure generous mix. And greater funding to equalise primary and secondary education.
Then towards equality in democracy through public funding via vouchers towards elections. Piketty discusses the conflict between the free flow of goods and services vs national sovreignty and boundaries.
Might be able to finish the book tomorrow morning.
Piketty discusses the need for transparency of wealth so that progressive taxation can be effective. Carbon taxing and co-management of companies is suggested. The temporary ownership of wealth that leads to return of accumulated wealth to the larger society via higher taxes is the main principle.
Opacity of spending in education is also tackled. Disproportionate state spending on higher education keeps the early drop outs at total disadvantage. Distribution of resources for education must be led by the effort to tackle inequality.
Skipped yesterday. Started the last chapter on Participatory Socialism which is essentially Piketty's suggested way forward for societies. He suggests things like education, healthcare and other fundamental aspects of life to be collectively owned with democratic access to all. One of the things he hasn't considered as a major factor in the nativist identitarian politics of recent times is the rise of social media and its polarising effect.
Progressive taxing framework is also given on wealth as well on top of income and inheritance.
Finished the chapter with the discussion on Brazil and the uselessness of the catch-all term Populism. Illustrative how classist and nativist cleavages have local variations that affect national level in India and Brazil.
Now the final chapter on Participatory Socialism.
Moved on from Europe and Piketty's suggestions for European Parliamentary Union as a sub unit to start with, to the wonderful case study of India. Very informative voter cleavages after 1970s and the current vote share among socioeconomic segments for BJP. In the 2019, BJP has managed to gain more among the lower income and wealth class and personal appeal of Modi is a very important factor.
With 950 pages crossed, hoping to finish this week itself. It was a consistent project that last close to two months.
The long chapter on Social Nativism starts with a recap. The disadvantaged classes feeling abandoned by the social democratic parties get exploited by the anti immigration rhetoric. Interesting case of Poland and its post communist turn around to join EU in which the social democrats became unbridled capitalists.
50th day of reading. Hopefully will finish the book in another 10 days.
