Ecology and Socialism: Solutions to Capitalist Ecological Crisis (Between the Lions)

"Ecology and Socialism" by Chris Williams convincingly makes the argument that fundamental socio-economic change is necessary to avert an impending environmental and social catastrophe. Mr. Williams is a professor of physics and chemistry who has been active in the environmental struggle for decades. Understanding both the science and politics of the key environmental issues of our time, Mr. Williams' important message deserves all the attention it can get.Mr. Williams compares and contrasts the capitalist and socialist modes of production with respect to the promise of living on a sustainable planet. On the one hand, Mr. Williams contends that capitalism is inherently hostile to the environment inasmuch as natural and human resources are sacrificed in order to satisfy the few at the top (see also  How the Rich Are Destroying the Earth ). On the other hand, Mr. Williams draws on recent scholarship by John Bellamy Foster and Paul Burkett to prove that the integration of human needs with the environment was critically important to Marx, who articulated a vision of a sustainable human social system living in harmony with the earth.Putting theory to practice, Mr. Williams discusses substitutes for the corporate-controlled industries that are currently running roughshod over the planet. Through Mr. Williams' reasoned argument, we come to learn that we would be far better served by powering our homes with wind and solar power (not nuclear); by consuming locally-grown, tasty and healthy organic foods (not the poisonous kibble from inhumane CAFOs and corporate mega farms); by enforcing commonsense rules to eliminate wasteful packaging at the point of design and manufacturing (not disposal); and so on. However, implementing these changes will require us to organize and insist on a better system that puts people and the environment before profit.With the debacle of the 2008 financial meltdown and government bailout putting the lie of capitalism in plain view, Mr. Williams' book couldn't be more timely. As the author makes abundantly clear, austerity is not inevitable; to the contrary, an eminently better way of life is within our reach.I highly recommend this book to everyone.

The legacy of socialism, including marxism, is not clearly fixed on the subject of ecology. Despite efforts to correct this (cf. such figures as Bellamy) the legacy of socialism requires an upgrade to its core idea set. This useful volume performs this task more or less successfully and points to the real crisis that confronts planetary civilization: the issue of socialism is the inability of capitalism to respond to the coming calamity of climate change. We need a new economic framework altogether and the cultural mindset to go with it. It is almost futile to expect the system fueled by the false profits of free markets to find any such in dealing with climate. The die is cast and we must snap out of the fixation of ideology created by the mesmerization created by economic fictions.

So far, the book is great. Their was no marks, the book has been giving me great information. As a sociologist major, I think the book is great.

I was a liberal before, but this book stepped it up a notch. This man, Chris Williams, is really something. I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels that there is something wrong at the heart of our economic/political system. I bought it on a whim and it is a book I'll be reading over and over again for years.

Great ideas, mostly well written, but sometimes repetitive. The organization of ideas into chapters is not always logical. The theme of this work is not unique, but this rendition of it is well suited to those who are predisposed to socialist solutions and could use some clarification and talking points. Don't expect deep science, though.

great condition, looking forward to reading

shipped promptly, as described.

Book is great.

Ich habe vom Buch in der el. version der Le Monde erfahren. Le Monde ist schätzenswert und so sind ihre Empfehlungen. Im Buch steht viel was man über Umweltpolitik wissen sollte. Für solche Leser empfehle ich zusätzlich das pdf "The Debunking Handbook".