Substance Fetishism or Historical Materialism With Jason W. Moore
Nov 8, 2024
auto_awesome
In a compelling discussion, Jason W. Moore, a historical geographer from Binghamton University, tackles the troubling notion of 'substance fetishism' in Marxian theory. He critiques how this perspective can obscure the real issues of labor relations and environmental dynamics. Moore explores the ties between fossil fuel consumption, class dynamics, and imperialism, advocating for a more integrated approach to socioecological crises. He emphasizes the importance of cooperation in both historical socialist movements and contemporary social activism, underscoring a need for revolutionary change driven by historical materialism.
The critique of substance fetishism emphasizes the need to revolutionize labor relations rather than merely managing natural resources for societal progress.
Neo-Malthusian perspectives often distract from ecological understanding by ignoring the underlying class dynamics that create ecological crises and inequalities.
Recognizing the interconnectedness of historical processes, class dynamics, and ecological changes is crucial for comprehending energy transitions and socio-ecological transformations.
Deep dives
Understanding Substance Fetishism
Substance fetishism refers to the belief that elements of the natural world, such as resources and human populations, have an intrinsic existence independent of labor relations. This perspective is seen as a deviation from historical materialism, which emphasizes that substances are outcomes of social relations and labor dynamics. The focus on managing these substances often detracts from the need to revolutionize labor relations, leading to misguided political actions that prioritize substances, like fossil fuels, instead of addressing the power structures of capitalism. This shift in focus can perpetuate harmful ideologies and distract from the broader class struggles that are essential for meaningful social change.
Critiquing Neo-Malthusian Politics
Neo-Malthusian perspectives, which emphasize resource scarcity and overpopulation, often ignore the deeper social relations and class dynamics that produce ecological crises. Instead of addressing these crises by focusing on capital's power and class relations, such viewpoints can misdirect efforts towards superficial solutions, such as targeting fossil fuel consumption. This narrow outlook tends to promote a politics that divorces ecological issues from their socio-economic roots and encourages non-constructive approaches, such as sabotage or pipeline bombings. A more holistic approach that integrates the social, ecological, and economic dimensions is necessary to effectively address the interconnected crises faced by society.
The Great Acceleration and Energy Histories
The concept of the Great Acceleration, often discussed in environmental contexts, tends to oversimplify complex historical processes by framing them primarily in terms of resource use and environmental degradation. This reductionist view fails to capture the rich interplay between class dynamics, global power relations, and social movements that influence energy histories and transitions. The narrative overlooks significant historical moments where imperialist agendas, decolonization, and social resistance have reshaped the global landscape in relation to resource extraction and capitalist development. Recognizing these intersections allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how energy and class formations contribute to broader socio-ecological transformations.
De-peasantization and Class Dynamics
The phenomenon of global de-peasantization, particularly after World War II, highlights how capitalist dynamics have expelled rural populations into urban areas while restructuring class relations. This process has led to the rise of a semi-proletariat, characterized by precarious labor conditions, especially in the Global South. Areas such as India and Mexico have experienced significant shifts, driven by neoliberal reforms and agro-industrial expansion, exacerbating dispossession and class struggles. Understanding these transitions requires a critical examination of how land, labor, and capital interact within global agrarian systems, steering the focus towards class relations rather than merely land ownership.
Revisiting the Role of Intellectuals
The role of intellectuals in academia often involves navigating systemic pressures that limit critical engagement with class power and capitalist dynamics. Many academics may critique broad concepts such as colonialism or extractivism but shy away from discussing capital's role in maintaining these systems. This avoidance can perpetuate a one-dimensional understanding of socio-political dynamics, undermining efforts to develop a more nuanced critique of capitalism. To foster genuine intellectual discourse, it is essential to re-embed historical analysis within academic discussions, allowing for richer debates that can challenge prevailing ideologies while addressing the complexities of social change.
This is part two of our conversation with Jason W. Moore, a historical geographer at Binghamton University. In this discussion we delve into the concept of "substance fetishism" within Marxian social theory, the dangers it poses, and its implications for understanding the web of life. Part 1: Against Climate Doomism and the Bourgeois Character of American Environmentalism Moore raises concerns about the misguided focus on substance fetishism, which prioritizes the management of substances over the revolutionizing of labor relations. The conversation also touches on the historical and contemporary implications of this perspective, including its impact on understanding energy histories, class formation, and imperialism. He critiques the narrow focus of some environmental and Marxist scholars, advocating for a more integrated approach that considers the socioecological dynamics of labor and class struggle. We also discuss the role of intellectuals and the limitations of academic discourse in addressing these antagonismss. Our conversation concludes with reflections on the potential for revolutionary change and the importance of historical materialism in understanding and addressing the current ecological and social crises. Special Co-host Casey is a historian and organizer based in New York and Chicago. He is focused on the politics, economy, and connected histories in South Asia and the Middle East, specifically the Arab Gulf. His work focuses on questions of development, ecology, and political resistance, as well as connecting global-scale events to local diaspora communities within the US. As always, If you like what we do and want to support our ability to have more conversations like this. Please consider becoming a patron. You can do so for as little as 1 Dollar a month. We bring you these conversations totally independently with no corporate, state, or grant funding. This episode is edited & produced by Aidan Elias. Music, as always, is by Televangel Links: Global Capitalism in the Great Implosion: From Planetary Superexploitation to Planetary Socialism?How to Read Capitalism in the Web of LifeOpiates of the EnvironmentalistsPower, Profit, & Promethianism, Part 1Power, Profit, & Promethianism, Part 2The Fear and the Fix
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode