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Another Now

Dispatches from an Alternative Present

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Brought to you by Penguin.

What would a fair and equal society actually look like? The world-renowned economist and bestselling author Yanis Varoufakis presents his radical and subversive answer.

Imagine it is 2025. Years earlier, in the wake of the financial crisis of 2008, a global hi-tech uprising has birthed a post-capitalist world in which work, money, land, digital networks and politics have been truly democratised.

In a thought-experiment of startling originality, world-famous economist Yanis Varoufakis offers a glimpse of this alternative reality. Through the eyes of three characters - a libertarian ex-banker, a Marxist-feminist and a maverick technologist - we see the genesis of a world without commercial banks or stock markets, where companies are owned equally by all staff, basic income is guaranteed, global imbalances and climate change cancel each other out, and housing is socialised.

Is a liberal socialism feasible? Can prosperity grow without costing the Earth? Are we able to build the good society, despite our flaws?

As radical in its form as in its vision, Another Now blends Platonic dialogue with speculative fiction to show that there is an alternative to capitalism, while also confronting us with the greatest question: how far are we willing to go to bring it about?

(C) Yanis Varoufakis 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

 Economics Future Studies Politics & Government Social Classes & Economic Disparity Social Sciences Sociology Theory Socialism Capitalism Thought-Provoking Economic disparity Taxation Economic Inequality

Critic reviews

Combining a provocative thought-experiment with a deeply original sci-fi narrative, this book is both visionary in its search for new possibilities and realistic in its embrace of the complexities of our human nature (Alfonso Cuarón, Oscar-winning Director of Roma and Gravity)
A landmark work ... A vision of a new society with new ways of thinking is possibly the most important thing an artist can offer at the moment (Brian Eno)
I am enjoying Yanis Varoufakis's Another Now. The way we live is not inevitable (Jeanette Winterson)
I could not recommend this more. If you're looking for a sense of optimism, a sense of political possibility, this book is very important (Owen Jones)
From @yanisvaroufakis' sf novel ANOTHER NOW, the absolute best description of the scam of #InvestmentBanking I've ever read
There is something exciting, even invigorating, about envisioning this world alongside Varoufakis ... one finishes Another Now buzzing with a sense of possibility
Another Now is structurally, ideologically and linguistically an extraordinary work (Zoe Williams)
I've absolutely loved reading [Another Now] ... the second I started reading it, it surprised and intrigued me (Matthew Taylor, RSA)
Another Now is not only a marvellously good read - it is a notable addition to the literature of social change
The reason Varoufakis seems to have captured the imaginations of so many is that his words about the European crisis speak universal truths about democracy, capitalism and social policy
All stars
Most relevant
A breath of fresh air. It nice to hear a story that give ideas and hope in what is now very challenging times. I've already brought few copeis to give to family and friends.

A breath of fresh air.

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Very interesting, perhaps the foundation of a true alternative, but not every relevant question is answered. certainly the path from our society to the "other now" presented here is peppered with unbelievably optimistic assumptions about how people, and societies, would behave under certain circumstances. Still, the end result, whilst not 100% believable, seems like a good attempt at balance that might be worth pursuing.

thought provoking

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This book captivated me from the beginning. Living in the current now, the way things are nationally and internationally are not getting better, only worse. It was nice to hear of a viable alternative even if it is described as a fictional tale. It's given me a little hope. Nice twist at the end though, food for thought!

Highly recommended this book.

Blueprint for the future?

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Superb and unique brilliance and an opportunity not to be missed. Complex economic matters envisioned in an intriguing dramatic novel. This book would make an unforgettable film series. A little clunky in its translation in a couple of places and the narrator, while giving a very good performance, was not the deeply mellifluous voice of Yannis Varoufakis, as was hoped for. I will listen to this novel again and again.

An outstanding work of genius.

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I just love listening to Varoufaki's affection for working people and his appreciation of women.

A man in his own standing

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