The Greening of Marxism

About this book

As we prepare to enter the 21st century we need, more than ever, to understand the political and economic roots of environmental problems. This book -- written by an international array of scholars -- help us to understand these roots. -- Michael Redclift, Ph.D. When the ecological movement emerged in the 1960s, it warned that continued consumerism and growth would lead to ecological catastrophe. This "green" philosophy represented a challenge to the basic tenets of Marxism, which traditionally ignored issues of ecological sustainability. Tracing the history of the integration of ecological understanding with Marxist philosophy, The Greening of Marxism explores the influence of green politics on Marxism, examines the new politics emerging from these movements, and shows how red-green alliances can transform the political landscape. Notable contributions include the classic critique of political ecology by Hans Magnus Enzensberger, a debate on James O'Connor's notion of the second contradiction of capitalism, and critical essays from leading feminist thinkers such as Kate Soper and Mary Mellor. May serve as a text in advanced undergraduate or graduate-level courses in environment studies, sociology, philosophy, geography, or political science.

Contents

General Introduction, Ted Benton I. Marxism For or Against Ecology? Introduction to Part I, Ted Benton 1. A Critique of Political Ecology, Hans Magnus Enzensberger 2. Marxism and Ecology: More Benedictine Than Franciscan, Jean-Guy Vaillancourt 3. Marx and Resource Scarcity, Michael Perelman 4. Greening Prometheus: Marxism and Ecology, Kate Soper II. Toward an Ecological Marxism Introduction to Part II, Ted Benton 5. Soviet Environmentalism: The Path Not Taken, Arran Gare 6. Marxism and Ecology, Gunnar Skirbekk 7. Marxism and the Environmental Question: From the Critical Theory of Production to an Environmental Rationality for Sustainable Development, Enrique Leff 8. Marxism and Natural Limits: An Ecological Critique and Reconstruction, Ted Benton III. The Second Contradiction of Capitalism Introduction to Part III, Ted Benton 9. The Second Contradiction of Capitalism, James O'Connor Four Commentaries on "The Second Contradiction": The Ecological Crisis: A Second Contradiction of Capitalism?, Victor M. Toledo Capitalism: How Many Contradictions?, Michael A. Lebowitz The Contradictory Interaction of Capitalism and Nature, Andriana Vlachou The Second Contradiction in the Italian Experience, Valentino Parlato and Giovanna Ricoveri IV. Critical Voices Introduction to Part IV, Ted Benton 10. Ecofeminism and Ecosocialism: Dilemmas of Essentialism and Materialism, Mary Mellor Commentary on "Ecofeminism and Ecosocialism," Kate Soper 11. Socialism and Ecocentrism: Toward a New Synthesis, Robyn Eckersley

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