"This is the first book to analyse the theoretical and the political programmes developed by Left interpreters of post-industrial society such as Bahro and Gorz. Frankel examines the feasibility of the new social relations and institutions advocated by eco-socialists, feminists, the Green movement and the peace movement. For example, will there be new democratic state institutions providing alternatives to existing welfare states and military-industrial complexes, or stateless societies based on a network of self-sufficient communes and co-operatives? How do the post-industrial utopians see the political transition to post-industrial socialism being accomplished? What is their relationship to parties, movements and strategies?
The book discusses the divergent approaches which have been made to problems associated with unemployment, social welfare, ecological crisis, post-modern cynicism, technocracy and militarism. The author seeks to demonstrate that the ideas developed by the thinkers concerned have to be taken with great seriousness by anyone interested in radical social change.
The Post-Industrial Utopians is not only an illuminating introduction to major issues troubling contemporary theorists and activists. In offering a critical appraisal of the post-industrial utopians, Frankel develops an original perspective of his own concerning problems of political theory and practice today. He concludes with a positive set of feasible socio-political alternatives."

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