Creating an ecological society : toward a revolutionary transformation / by Fred Magdoff and Chris Williams.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Magdoff, Fred, 1942- author.

Williams, Chris, 1966- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social ecology.

Human ecology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (261 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Monthly Review Press, 2017.

Summary:

Sickened by the contamination of their water, their air, of the Earth itself, more and more people are coming to realize that it is capitalism that is, quite literally, killing them. It is now clearer than ever that capitalism is also degrading the Earth’s ability to support other forms of life. Capitalism’s imperative—to make profit at all costs and expand without end—is destabilizing Earth’s climate, while increasing human misery and inequality on a planetary scale. Already, hundreds of millions of people are facing poverty in the midst of untold wealth, perpetual war, growing racism, and gender oppression. The need to organize for social and environmental reforms has never been greater. But crucial as reforms are, they cannot solve our intertwined ecological and social crises. Creating an Ecological Society reveals an overwhelmingly simple truth: Fighting for reforms is vital, but revolution is essential. Because it aims squarely at replacing capitalism with an ecologically sound and socially just society, Creating an Ecological Society is filled with revolutionary hope. Fred Magdoff and Chris Williams, who have devoted their lives to activism, Marxist analysis, and ecological science, provide informed, fascinating accounts of how a new world can be created from the ashes of the old. Their book shows that it is possible to envision and create a society that is genuinely democratic, equitable, and ecologically sustainable. And possible—not one moment too soon—for society to change fundamentally and be brought into harmony with nature.

Contents:

Cover

Title

Copyright

Contents

Foreword

Preface

PART ONE: Why an Alternative Is Essential

1. The Social and Ecological Planetary Emergency

2. The Root of the Social-Ecological Crisis

3. Capitalism versus the Biosphere

4. Capitalism's Effects on People

PART TWO: Is an Ecological Society Possible?

5. Humans as Part of Nature

6. Does "Human Nature" Prevent System Change?

7. Equality as Biological Fact

PART THREE: Learning from Nature

8. The Biosphere: Cycles of Life

9. Developing Resilient Social-Ecological Systems

10. Ecological Approaches to Fulfilling Human Needs

PART FOUR: Toward a New Society

11. Living in an Ecological Society

12. Revolution: Creating an Ecological Society

Notes

Index.

Notes:

Includes index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-58367-632-5