[PEN-L:6829] Re: revolutionary ecological fiction

[HANLY@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Many thanks to Thad Williamson for the clarification and elaboration of his
project. I agree, of course that there are many other types of alternatives to
capitalism than market socialism and that these have been elaborated by
theologians, political scientists etc. I still wonder if the chapter headings
might not be better titled to indicate the specific types of alternative
under discussion. For example, the theological writers surely includes
liberation theologians and do they not envision different types of Christian
socialism? Feminist writers outline feminist visions of socialism.
While some forms of environmental critiques of capitalism may provide
alternatives to some forms of capitalism, others seem to me to be
both reactionary in their attitude to class issues (not giving a shit about job
loss, and rascist in attitude--Dave Foreman in his early days at least)
(See DEFENDING THE EARTH: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN MURRAY BOOKCHIN AND DAVE FOREMAN
Boston: South End Press, 1991) and not anti-capitalist so much as
anti-exploitation of  nature. I have even seen it written that it is really
the environment that is the proletariat. Pure mystification and entirely
anti-humanist.
It is not clear to me that a steady state
economy would be an alternative to capitalism per se rather than existing
capitalism. Why could there not be private for profit ownership of the means of
production in a steady state economy? As for getting to socialism through a
guaranteed income,  I don't see it. Milton Friedman is in favor of a guaranteed
income within capitalism on pure efficiency grounds. The alternatives to
capitalism in environmental philosophy seem to be found among those writing
in the area of ecofeminism (and only some) and social ecology. John Clark,
Janet Biehl and Joel Kovel as well as Murray Bookchin represent writers in
this area.
   Perhaps I am just out of touch. I have always thought that progressive
alternatives to capitalism would be some form of socialism or anarchism,
though these certainly could stress feminist, ecological, or race issues.
I am completely baffled by those who think that they can ignore the key
importance of class either in considering gender, race, or ecological issues.
As Bell Hooks has pointed out  to the chagrin of many of her sisters, much
radical feminism is white, upper middle class, and completely out of touch
with the interests of the black woman working in sweatshops or in the feminists
own household.
  Cheers, Ken Hanly
P.S. Probably much of this criticism is off base. Your project sounds quite
interesting and worthwhile.