To revive the fortunes of socialism we must articulate a credible and attractive alternative. The Constitution of Socialism takes a decisive step in this direction.
Offering an original synthesis of socialism and republicanism, the book discusses how society can move beyond capitalism. It outlines an institutional and political framework for a socialist future, in which collective decision-making about the use and allocation of resources directly responds to social interests. Through institutional design, this study explores the feasibility criteria of post-capitalism and sketches the contours and features of a viable model of socialism.
Tim Platenkamp obtained his master’s degree from the University of Amsterdam in 2020, specializing in political theory. He is currently employed as a trade unionist.
Publication date: June 23, 2026
Preface
Acknowledgements
Glossary
1 Introduction
1 The Crisis of Socialism – Goodbye Lenin!
2 Overview
Part 1 Diagnosis
2 Socialism in Theory – Promise and Possibilities
1 The Communist Mode of Production and Distribution
2 Economic Calculation under Socialism
3 Socialism in Practice – The Soviet Model
1 The Experience of War Communism
2 General Features of Soviet Planning
3 Material Balances
4 The System of Norms
5 Reforming the System – From Optimism to Cynicism
Addendum: Sharing in the Illusion – On the Question of State-Capitalism
4 Socialism in Practice – The Yugoslav Model
1 Laying the Groundwork
2 Toward Self-Governing Socialism
3 Bottom-Up Planning and Collapse
5 Socialism in Theory, Again
1 Back to the Drawing Board
2 The Community of Citizens
3 Contradictions of Market and Plan – The Menu of Options
4 Negotiated Co-ordination and Allocation
5 Participatory Planning of Production and Consumption
6 Big Computer and Labour Time
7 Multilevel Programming
Part 2 Remedy
6 Governance in the Socialist Republic
1 Socialist Constitutionalism and the Social Contract
2 Political Institutions and Practices of Self-Government
3 The Role of Central Planning
Addendum 1: A Note on Public Safety, Crime, and National Defence
Addendum 2: A Note on Organised Political Activity Under Socialism
7 Production in the Socialist Republic
1 Public Property and Public Domination
2 Three Public Sectors
3 Self-Government in Industry – Workers’ Councils
8 General Planning and Parametric Control
1 Cost Accounting – ‘khozraschet’
2 Planning, Prices, Allocation
3 Co-ordination, Investment, Uncertainty
4 Labour Incentives
5 The Dynamics of Growth
Addendum: On the Possibilities for Progressive Socialisation
Part 3 Conclusions
9 Postscript
1 Closing Remarks
2 What I Hope to Have Imparted to the Reader
3 Moving Forward Along the Long and Winding Road
References
Index