SOS Alternatives to Capitalism "provides a brief historical survey of alternatives to contemporary capitalism. In seeking out alternatives he explores the existence of pre-capitalist indigenous radicalism, the utopian tradition, state socialism and social democracy, anarchism, European autonomism, twenty-first century socialism in Latin America, and the contemporary degrowth movement. [...] While there is no one right answer, Swift’s sympathies lie with ecosocialism and degrowth, the key components of which include localism, decentralized democracy, reduced working hours,socialization of finance, and the introduction of a universal basic income. [...] This is a book of many strengths. In a little more than 150 pages Swift introduces the reader to the major trajectories of the radical left over the last several hundred years. [...] His history is accurate and his conclusions are largely compelling. He shows persuasively that the major problem with state socialism has been its top-down nature, and he does a good job in bringing to light the lesser known tradition of anti-authoritarian socialism associated with the anarchists. Yet although he is clearly sympathetic to the radical democratic impulse of the anarchists, he avoids simple cheer leading. Indeed, the book is refreshingly non-dogmatic and unsectarian. He interprets Marx charitably and does not hesitate to point out the places where the anarchists lose their way. [...] One topic that is unfortunately absent from the book is any sustained discussion of feminism and the gendered division of labor. [...] while there is perhaps too much discussion of autonomism, there is arguably too little paid to the theorists at the cutting edge of envisioning alternatives — people like David Schweickart, Janet Gornick and Marcia Meyers, Juliet Schor, and Erik Olin Wright. These thinkers have done the most over recent years to investigate the ins and outs of concrete institutional alternatives — the 'real utopias' — that could conceivably replace neoliberal capitalism. [...] A deeper problem, and the only significant theoretical shortcoming of the book, is the tendency to conceptualize capitalism as a single, uniform, system defined at its core by the widespread use of markets. [...] Polanyi taught us that that there is no such thing as a pure capitalist system: the system has no DNA or essential nature; there are only different ways, some better some worse, in which markets are embedded in political systems. [...] Swift’s unPolanyian analysis undermines his discussion of social democracy and possible alternatives. Because he cannot recognize the fundamental plasticity of market systems, he is led to denigrate social democracy as a false alternative. But then what would be a short-term alternative to neoliberalism? [...] Overall, S.O.S.: Alternatives to Capitalism is an excellent book. [...] Though not an academic text, it is a sophisticated and lucid introduction to the radical left. It would be an excellent addition to undergraduate courses in political science or sociology, and will, hopefully, be read much wider than that."

"If the title of the book is excitingly misleading, since it suggests a multiplicity of alternatives to capitalism when most of us would settle for only one, Richard Swift’s advocacy of a ‘democratic ecosocialism’ as an alternative to capitalism is sustained and persuasive. [...] Swift is particularly powerful when he moves effortlessly across the globe, highlighting inventive local initiatives; what he has in mind is truly international in scope and suggests the power to unite rich and poor countries in a common project. [...] His historical overview of the variants of socialism and their shortcomings, although brief, is incisive and to the point. [...] His historical overview of the variants of socialism and their shortcomings, although brief, is incisive and to the point. [...] The formulation of ecosocialism – that we court catastrophe unless we limit our predations on the planet – is too negative, and requires a positive, emancipatory slogan. Richard Swift’s book, eloquent and inspirational, is certainly a movement in that direction."