>>Doug,
>>
>>You're underestimating the profound transformations in social
relations
>>and what is considered "natural" in different societies at different
>>points in history. Yes, it is inevitable that what we consider
>>necessary and natural in our society will be considered an arbitrary,
>>shortsighted social convention in some future human society.
>>
>>For me, that's not depressing; it's inspiring.
I agree, but I don't think that's incompatible with Albert's argument that it helps to have some conception of a possible alternative, even if some future human society is inevitably going to find it quaint. To a lot of people criticising capitalism is like forming a coalition against gravity; Albert argues that arguing for socialism without any conception of what it would be like sounds like a cop-out. In other words, utopias are for the living, not our children's children.
(I'm not too familiar with the specifics of Parecon itself by the way.)
Cheers, Mike scandalum.wordpress.com