Time for Socialism: Dispatches from a World on Fire, 2016-2021

Written by Thomas Piketty

Narrated by L.J. Ganser

A chronicle of recent events that have shaken the world, from the author of Capital in the Twenty-First Century

As a correspondent for the French newspaper Le Monde, world-renowned economist Thomas Piketty has documented the rise and fall of Trump, the drama of Brexit, Emmanuel Macron’s ascendance to the French presidency, the unfolding
of a global pandemic, and much else besides, always from the perspective of his fight for a more equitable world. This collection brings together those articles and is prefaced by an extended introductory essay, in which Piketty argues that the
time has come to support an inclusive and expansive conception of socialism as a counterweight against the hypercapitalism that defines our current economic ideology. These essays offer a first draft of history from one of the world’s leading
economists and public figures, detailing the struggle against inequalities and tax evasion, in favor of a federalist Europe and a globalization more respectful of work and the environment.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705046043

Reviews for Time for Socialism

[José Baltodano · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The book is a set of columns he wrote for Le Monde. They are not organized based on topics, nor by the socialist theme he promised with the book title. In fact, he never tries to convince the reader to become a socialist. In the book, it is barely touched a couple of times, whe he mentions the union power in the board of directors in Germany and Switzerland.

He is a liberal thinker, a French Krugman if you please. As proof, the first chapter is added as a long intro to the articles, where he adds the new favorite topics of the left thinker: race, gender, patriarchy.

He talks about ideals, makes a few terrible predictions (showing he does not get a single thing about his compatriots) and whines a lot.

He hits a small number of predictions like Macron carbon tax on the poor going to be a bad idea (before it happened)

However, he fails a lot. He did not even thought Macron had a chance at the beginning of the French elections because he was baised toward Mélenchon. He rejects Macron perspective on a wealth tax and even believed that Elizabeth Warren was going to teach him a lesson when she and Bernie were talking about implementing one in the US.

Then, he always talk about cooperation, but what he means is, "here is my plan", follow it. This clearly presents the problem that Europe is full of different countries with their own self-interests, cultures (ex: pro vs against immigration) and they clearly will not agree with his plans.

As a summary, the book purpose is not what is stated on the title, but to listen to his opinions in different topics, yet they are never beyond 7 minutes, therefore the book is always shallow.