Review of “Time for Socialism” by Thomas Piketty

The title of this book is a little misleading because it doesn’t have a central theme. This is a collection of essays published in Le Monde, a leading French periodical. If there is a theme, it is a call for expanding the European Union to be more democratic fiscally, and socially responsible.

Piketty is involved with a group that recently published a Manifesto for the Democratization of Europe. These essays support that cause, reflecting his developing ideas, from wealth inequality to investment in education. Unlike so many other writers, he proposes concrete solutions or at least starting points for a democratic conversation. He doesn’t see a world filled with bad guys and good guys, but only people who are trying to get ahead, some with the assistance of democratically elected governments. His proposals are mostly focused on Europe and France, but the ideas behind them are equally applicable to the United States.

As expected, the book is filled with charts that support what he’s saying, so he can’t be dismissed out of hand. Wealth and opportunity inequality in the advanced countries are approaching those of pre-industrial societies, which isn’t good for anyone in the long run. I hope someone with influence is listening here in the U.S. but I’m not betting on it.

The takeaway message is meant for Europeans, however; the E.U. is in crisis and something has to be done or it will splinter and Europe will return to a condition no one wants to see.

Nevertheless, Americans should be paying attention because it can happen here … recall the ominous future predicted in The Nine Nations of North America, written by Joel Gardena in 1981 …