Challenging Mainstream Environmentalism: An Eco-Socialist Approach with Jason W. Moore
Dec 14, 2023
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Join eco-socialist Jason W. Moore as he challenges mainstream environmentalism and discusses tensions within the eco-socialist movement. The podcast explores the leftist tendency towards sectarianism and the concept of 'environmentalism of the rich'. They delve into the intersection of Marxism and environmentalism, confronting popular narratives around imperialism, class, and climate change debates. The conversation also dissects blindly supporting the Democratic Party, the US military's contribution to pollution, and the relevance of internationalism to eco-socialism. Lessons of internationalism, socialist history, state socialism, and ethical challenges are explored.
The importance of combining political economy and political ecology to effectively address the current crisis of capitalism.
The need to reestablish internationalist thinking within the left and bridge the gap between Marxism and anti-imperialism.
The ongoing debate about Prometheanism within the left and the complexities of socialist projects' relationships with science and ecology.
The recognition of historical context and the reimagining of technological innovation to prioritize the well-being of the working class and peasants in the face of the climate crisis.
Deep dives
The divorce between Marxist ecological thought and Marxist political economy
There is a disconnect between Marxist ecological thought and Marxist political economy, exemplified by the division of ideas in the works of John Bellamy Foster and David Harvey.
The need for a dialectical historical materialism
A dialectical historical materialism that combines political economy and political ecology is necessary to address the current over-accumulation crisis of capitalism.
The rise of methodological nationalism
There has been a retreat into methodological nationalism within the left, which is perpetuated by universities and knowledge factories. This has led to a neglect of internationalist thinking and a divorce between Marxism and anti-imperialism.
The debate around Prometheanism
There is a debate within the left about Prometheanism, with an emphasis on bourgeois Prometheanism and an abstract view of domination of nature. This overlooks the complexities of socialist projects and their relationships with science, natural science, and ecology.
The importance of grounding environmental sensibilities in history
It is crucial to understand the historical context in order to properly address and ground environmental sensibilities. This includes recognizing that certain aspects of society can and should be automated, while others, such as social reproduction and care work, should not be. Additionally, the need to reimagine technological innovation and prioritize the well-being of the working class and peasants in the face of the climate crisis is emphasized.
Examining the Soviet Union's environmental impact
The podcast discusses the complexity and mixed nature of the environmental impact of the Soviet Union. While there were instances of environmental destruction and accidents, it is argued that not all criticisms of Soviet environmental policies were justified. The podcast highlights the anti-communist undercurrents and biases that shaped many critiques of Soviet environmentalism. It also emphasizes the importance of considering the advancements in clean energy and ecology made by countries like China.
The limitations of growth-centric discussions
The podcast challenges the focus on GDP growth as a measure of progress and questions the significance of the growth conversation. It argues that GDP growth is dependent on high levels of disposability and planned obsolescence, which do not necessarily benefit the proletariat or society as a whole. The podcast suggests that alternative measures of progress, such as long-lasting and sustainable production, should be considered.
The need for a critical sensibility towards science and the biosecurity state
The podcast highlights the need to critically evaluate the role of science and the biosecurity state, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It argues that blind trust in scientific institutions and the suppression of dissenting views can lead to ideological biases and limit the understanding of complex issues. The podcast calls for a more nuanced and critical approach to scientific research and policy-making.
Ready to challenge your perspective on climate crisis and socialism? Join us as we welcome Jason W Moore. In a riveting discourse, Jason shares his experiences with the eco-socialist movement, shedding light on the challenges and tensions that exist, including his encounters with Monthly Review and its editor John Bellamy Foster. He doesn’t shy away from illuminating the leftist tendency towards sectarianism, nor from elucidating the concept of the "environmentalism of the rich". The dialogue also ponders the need for a united socialist front against mainstream environmentalism and reactionary forces.
Venturing into the intricate intersection of Marxism and environmentalism, we challenge popular narratives around imperialism, class, and climate change debates. Jason opens up about the eco-socialist response to his work, underscoring the significance of a strategic approach to tackle the climate crisis. We also confront the complexities of Prometheanism and its place in leftist ideologies. This episode journeys through the left's perplexing acceptance of the biosecurity state during the pandemic.
Our conversation also dissects the implications of blindly supporting the Democratic Party, addresses the overlooked contribution of the US military to pollution, and probes the relevance of internationalism to eco-socialism. As we wrap up our dialogue, we delve into the lessons of internationalism and socialist history, state socialism lessons and ethical challenges. We muse on capitalism, the environment, and the potential for a communist reimagination of our current crisis. In this thought-provoking discussion, prepare to be enlightened, provoked, and spurred into meaningful dialogue. Don't miss out on this enlightening journey!
Jason W. Moore is an environmental historian and historical geographer at Binghamton University, where he is professor of sociology and leads the World-Ecology Research Collective. He is author or editor, most recently, of Capitalism in the Web of Life (Verso, 2015), Capitalocene o Antropocene? (Ombre Corte, 2017), Anthropocene or Capitalocene? Nature, History, and the Crisis of Capitalism (PM Press, 2016), and, with Raj Patel, A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things (University of California Press, 2017).
Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake