In recent years, the Nordic countries have been the envy of the world for their economic success, institutional stability, and consistently high levels of social happiness. But are they socialist ? Several prominent members of the American right think so. They may find a surprising ally in Pelle Dragsted, a member of the Danish parliament and the leader of the socialist political party Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance); contrary to most Nordic leaders, Dragsted not only accepts but embraces the charge of socialism.   In Dragsted’s analysis, Denmark and the rest of the Nordic countries are already socialist, but only in part. The dangers come (and here many conservative Americans will disagree) from the unhealthy encroachment of capitalism. His provocative argument is that capitalism and socialism are not in fact mutually exclusive, and already Nordic economies are hybrids, a mix of decommodified, democratically governed sectors and undemocratic, privately controlled enterprises. The relevant question is the degree to which one dominates the other. Currently, undemocratic forces are ascendant, but it need not be so. Dragsted offers both his diagnosis and his proposed solution, a comprehensive plan for a gradual (re)democratization of the economy and a move to fully and firmly embrace, and redefine, “Nordic socialism.” “There’s no reason these principles cannot apply away from the shores of the Baltic and North Sea. The book is in conversations with U.S. socialists. . . . Communities across the United States tried to build alternatives to unrestrained capitalism, from tiny cooperatives to municipal utilities to the New York Power or Tennessee Valley Authority. In the United States and around the world, socialists have struggled to provide a sense of what socialism will mean in practice. Dragsted suggests we can do so by drawing on this legacy.” ― Democratic Left “For anyone interested in building a fairer, freer future, Pelle Dragsted's proposals are essential reading. . . . A hopeful, practical blueprint for democratic socialism in the 21st century. Clear-eyed and grounded in lived experience.” ― The Irish Times “Remarkably timely, impressively well written, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. . . . An exceptionally informative and thorough-provoking study from start to finish. This is a welcome, unique, and unreservedly recommended pick.” ― Midwest Book Review “For those seeking to anchor socialism in durable working-class coalitions, electoral expansion, and winnable reforms, this kind of clarity is invaluable. It provides both a political language and a legible road map for how the democratic socialism road might unfold in the United States. Nordic Socialism is a provocation: What would it mean to take democracy seriously enough to extend it into the economy?” ― Jacobin “Dragsted provides a compelling vision of an economy built on solidarity—one rooted not in abstractions but in the real successes of Nordic economies. His book makes it clear that in our search for a better world, we don’t have to choose between the inequalities of capitalism or the inefficiencies of command economies.” -- Bhaskar Sunkara, author of The Socialist Manifesto: The Case for Radical Politics in an Era of Extreme Inequality “A powerful and incisive analysis of modern capitalism, and an inspiring assessment of the forces aligned against it. Dragsted demonstrates that democratic socialism is the only way out of the mess we’re in—and shows how we can all start building it right now.” -- Grace Blakeley, author of Vulture Capitalism: Corporate Crimes, Backdoor Bailouts, and the Death of Freedom “Dragsted offers a thought-provoking exploration of the critical role of democracy in societal well-being—something overlooked by many self-professed capitalists in the U.S. What he calls ‘Nordic socialism,’ I call ‘Nordic capitalism,’ laying the foundation for a great debate on our economic and democratic future.” -- Robert Strand, author of Nordic Capitalism: Lessons for Realizing Sustainable Capitalism “A powerful, important, and inspiring work with which all those who struggle against inequality and for greater democracy must engage. Regardless of whether one agrees or not.” ― Politiken, praise for the Danish edition “Stimulating for the political imagination and thus deeply engaging. . . . Breaks with worn-out ideas from the past and points to a new way forward for the Left.” ― Information, praise for the Danish edition “A powerful, important, and inspiring work with which all those who struggle against inequality and for greater democracy must engage. Regardless of whether one agrees or not.” ― Politiken, praise for the Danish edition “Stimulating for the political imagination and thus deeply engaging. . . . Breaks with worn-out ideas from the past and points to a new way forward for the Left.” ― Information, praise for the Danish edition Pelle Dragsted is the leader of the Enhe