Capitalist Democracy Revisited

Abstract

The purpose of this paper' is to offer a tribute to the work of Ralph Miliband by examining the concept of 'capitalist democracy', a concept which played a central part in his work, and which forms the title of one of his books, Capitalist Democracy in Britain. The critical analysis which follows is in memory of Ralph Miliband as an inspiring teacher; for all too short a time a stimulating colleague; and a warm-hearted and generous friend. Whatever criticisms are raised are made as contributions to a debate which Miliband himself inspired and greatly developed - a debate about state power and class power, probing the limits of Marxist theories of politics. The intention is to give an exposition of the term 'capitalist democracy', to examine its meaning, and to see what problems there are in the concept. By 'problems' is meant here the question of whether the term provides a useful means of understanding the nature of democracy in the contemporary world and of analyzing the structure of power in those systems which call themselves democracies. This involves discussing what light the label of 'capitalist democracy' casts on the problems facing those societies.