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Overcoming Capitalism to Protect Humanity and the Environment: Revitalizing Marxism for Modern Socialist Transitions

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Confronting Mainstream Economics for Overcoming Capitalism

Part of the book series: Marx, Engels, and Marxisms ((MAENMA))

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Abstract

This chapter underlines the totally destructive character of the current capitalist system on nature. Understanding and overcoming this degenerating system have now become an absolute priority for all progressives who want to fight for the protection of the environment and even—unfortunately, we have reached that point—for the survival of humanity. We demonstrate the uselessness of neoclassicism to understand the gravity of the situation and to face the urgent problems of the present times, as well as the limits and dangers of false alternatives, which remain pro-system or reformist. A radical political and social ecology constitutes the great challenge for the reconstruction of a resolutely anti-capitalist left. The latter will need Marxism, but also the instruments of modern and democratic planning. This will force us to reconsider the alternatives of post-capitalist social transformation, which more and more of us, in spite of our differences, hope to be socialist.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The writing of this chapter was partly based on several previous texts by the author, and more particularly: Herrera (2008, 2010).

  2. 2.

    Herrera and Lau (2015, 2021).

  3. 3.

    World Forum of Alternatives (2006).

  4. 4.

    For example, the transnational Monsanto is on trial for scandals falling under several of these categories.

  5. 5.

    Among the most prominent ones: Amin (1974), Frank (1979), Arrighi (1994), Wallerstein (2011). On the concept of “system,” see: Herrera (2001).

  6. 6.

    These are dynamic, multi-sectoral, and multi-regional general equilibrium models. For example, Burniaux, Martin, Nicoletti, and Oliveira Martins (1992).

  7. 7.

    Bergman (2005).

  8. 8.

    Brock and Taylor (2005).

  9. 9.

    Xepapadeas (2005).

  10. 10.

    Lomborg (2001). Also: Lomborg (2004).

  11. 11.

    Other famous Rand Corporation collaborators have been: Francis Fukuyama, Frank Carlucci, Paul O’Neill, Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld or… Pascal Lamy (a member of the French Socialist Party).

  12. 12.

    See: Schelling (1960).

  13. 13.

    Schelling (1969).

  14. 14.

    Smith (2000).

  15. 15.

    Bhagwati (2004). For a radical criticism: Shaikh A. (2007), or Tandon (2015).

  16. 16.

    Read: https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2005/09/people.htm.

  17. 17.

    Now, see: https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2006/06/people.htm.

  18. 18.

    Stokey (1991).

  19. 19.

    And finally: http://www.minneapolisfed.org/publications_papers/pub_display.cfm?id=3459&.

  20. 20.

    Let us remember that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was created by the U.N. in 1988.

  21. 21.

    Bachram (2004).

  22. 22.

    During “Green Week” in June 2005, a group of transnational corporations (Ford, Toyota, BP, etc.) formed at the Davos Economic Forum insisted on “market solutions in the fight against climate change.”.

  23. 23.

    The Chicago Climate Exchange platform, launched in 2003, was the first “carbon stock exchange” in the world. And the European Union Emission Trading Scheme, opened in 2005, was the European tradable permits market.

  24. 24.

    Among numerous other analyzes, see: Georgescu-Roegen (1971, 2006), or Latouche (2006). Also: Kallis, Kerschner and Martinez-Alier (2012).

  25. 25.

    Herrera (2022).

  26. 26.

    Herrera (2014), Presentation.

  27. 27.

    Read the words of Nobel Prize in Physics (1979) Abdus Salam on underdevelopment as “silent genocide of the poorest,” available at: http://www.unesco.org/courrier/2001_12/fr/droits5.htm.

  28. 28.

    We refer here to a few recommendations of the Bamako Appeal that some of us launched, within the framework of the World Forum of Alternatives, in January 2006. See: https://mronline.org/2006/01/17/the-bamako-appeal/.

  29. 29.

    Amin and Herrera (2000).

  30. 30.

    Herrera (2010), Chapter 4.

  31. 31.

    Amin and Houtart (2002).

  32. 32.

    Houtart (2010).

  33. 33.

    Herrera and Lau (2015).

  34. 34.

    Amin (2015).

  35. 35.

    Foster (2000).

  36. 36.

    González Gutiérrez (2006).

  37. 37.

    Herrera (2021).

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  1. National Center of Scientific Research, Paris, France

    Rémy Herrera

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  1. Rémy Herrera
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Correspondence to Rémy Herrera .

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Herrera, R. (2022). Overcoming Capitalism to Protect Humanity and the Environment: Revitalizing Marxism for Modern Socialist Transitions. In: Confronting Mainstream Economics for Overcoming Capitalism. Marx, Engels, and Marxisms. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05851-6_9

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