Episode 59: Capitalism and the Ecological Crisis

Andrew interviews Brendan, principal author of MHI’s new Marxist-Humanist Perspective on Capitalism and the Ecological Crisis. The statement argues that the climate crisis won’t and can’t be solved without overthrowing capitalism. The source of the problem isn’t ill will, ideology, or greed, but capitalism’s law of value and the reckless, anarchic growth that flows from it. Brendan contrasts this conclusion to the perspectives put forward by degrowth theorists, and by those who contend that the solutions to the ecological crisis are technological and political. He argues that none of these alternatives come to grips with capitalism’s mode of production, which compels capitalists to pursue growth without regard to its effects on our environment. He also explains what several aspects of Marx’s theory have to do with this––the law of value, the concentration and centralization of capital, and production for the sake of production (the destructive character of capitalism’s growth isn’t for the sake of human consumption).

 
Plus current-events segment: public attitudes to the January 6 Capitol Insurrection. The co-hosts discuss several recent opinion polls on attitudes to the insurrection and related matters, as well as Heather Digby Parton’s analysis.

 
Radio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective. It is co-hosted by Brendan Cooney and Andrew Kliman. We intend to release new episodes every two weeks. Radio Free Humanity is sponsored by MHI, but the views expressed by the co-hosts and guests of Radio Free Humanity are their own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of MHI.

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