Stephen McBride 
Escaping Dystopia 
Rebuilding a Public Domain

Multiple crises have led many to conclude that the current economic and political system is broken. The present and future look increasingly precarious – if not outright dystopian
Stephen Mc Bride calls for radical solutions to these crises to provide a more rational and sustainable future. He critiques other potential responses which would further curtail democracy and increase the inequalities associated with neoliberal globalism. Demonstrating how mainstream ideas, powerful interests and political institutions face major challenges but block progressive alternatives, he argues that for radical transformation to succeed, institutional changes are necessary.

Table of Content

1. Introduction
2. Trapped in Dystopia?
3. The Three Ds: Disaffection, Disarray, Democracy
4. Breaking the Mould through Anti-system Politics?
5. What Is to Be Done? Alternative Strategies
6. Restoring the Pre-crisis Neoliberal ‘Normal’
7. Saving the System by Building Back Better? Liberal Reform
8. Radical Transformation
9. Obstacles to Progress
10. How Is It to Be Done? Democratic Process and Building the Public Domain
11. Escaping Dystopia

About the author

Stephen Mc Bride is Professor and Canada Research Chair in Public Policy and Globalization at Mc Master University. His research deals with issues of comparative public policy, globalization, and political economy.