Ecosocialism: A Radical Alternative to Capitalist Catastrophe

by Michael Löwy

Capitalism is killing the planet, and the preservation of a natural environment favorable to human life requires a radical alternative. In this new collection of essays, long time revolutionary and environmental activist Michael Lowy offers a vision of ecosocialist transformation. This vision combines an understanding of the destructive logic of the capitalist system with an appreciation for ongoing struggles, particularly in Latin America.
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Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Environment, Economics, Social Justice, Nature, Science

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

French-Brazilian Marxist sociologist and philosopher. He is presently the emerited research director in social sciences at the CNRS (French National Center of Scientific Research) and lectures at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS; Paris, France). Author of books on Karl Marx, Che Guevara, Liberation Theology, György Lukács, Walter Benjamin and Franz Kafka, he received the Silver Medal of the CNRS in 1994.

Reviews

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short little book that outlines the Marxist case for ecosocialism without going into too many specifics. The best parts are the justifications from Marx and Engels own writing about the need for ecology-minded anti-capitalism and how direct democracy can cut down on needless consumption. The rest of the book ranges from nicely informative (his calls to examine Indigenous movements in Central and South America for inspiration are good) to very vague and unhelpful (he calls for a wholesale ban on GMOs, when he really should be targeting industrial, corporate agriculture instead). I feel like there are more involved or thorough texts out there on the same subject though.

[Emily]

I found this read helpful, especially the chapter on advertising. "Change the system, not the climate!"

[Jason Schulman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for those at least somewhat familiar with "Green Marxism." Not exactly an intro book, but the chapter on advertising is brilliant. See my review in the Spring 2018 edition of NEW POLITICS.

[Vartika · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

We are today face to face with the capitalist catastrophe Indigenous peoples and ecologists have been warning us about for decades. Michael Löwy's book makes for a very important read in these times, serving as an accessible introduction to the radical idea of ecological, non-productivist, anti-propagandist socialism. A collection of five excellent articles enriched by important ecosocialist documents in the appendices, Ecosocialism explores the many theoretical aspects and proposals for a radical, sustainable future of the human and natural world.

While concise and lacking in-depth study of ecosocialist concepts, this book makes an excellent primer for those interested in the ideology, containing an excellent reading of Marx and Engels, a foray into ecosocialist movements in Latin America, and a brilliant article on the ills of advertising. I enjoyed its overarching critique of "green capitalism" and such halfhearted efforts as the Kyoto Protocol. However, as a collection of essays and articles, it does contain some gaps and may appear somewhat disjointed.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a basic understanding of radical, conscientious socialism.

[Silvana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew nothing about ecosocialism and bought the book on a whim. Thanks to the Radical Reading group I got extra boost to remove this from my dusty TBR shelf ;p

I think this is a good introduction. At first it felt like coming back to college with all the political theories and dead men who wrote them. Yet it became more interesting when the author talked about the ecosocialist movements in the Global South, though admittedly the focus is more on Latin American countries. When I read the list of signatories of some global manifestos, I was surprised to see two Indonesians in there ;p Guess I'll have the chance to discuss someday IRL. Our indigenous movement so far have not been too successful in their fight and even got marginalized by their own countrymen. Maybe that's going to be my proposed topic, we'll see.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A partir de ahora (y durante todo agosto) me dedicaré a ir por las verbenas de los pueblos a horas cuestionables de la madrugada hablando del valor de uso y de los efectos nocivos materiales y discursivos de la publicidad.

[Caroline Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll start with the positive: I liked the chapter on Chico Mendes - a very brief introduction to his life’s work. There was some interesting historical information on indigenous movements in Latin America. I wouldn’t necessarily call some of them environmentalist, because they revolved around indigenous land rights in a way that doesn’t specifically mesh with the global North definition of “environmentalism.” However in practice, they represent what we generally understand environmentalism to be.

Now the criticisms:

The proposed solutions are poorly developed. His strongest call to action was encouraging “autonomous social movements and public opinion” (p. 75). He also called for a ban on advertising, which, fine - but I was reading it and I was like this mf sounds like an early 2000s edition of adbusters and then he name-dropped adbusters…lol!

For example he names “peasant biological agriculture based on family units, cooperatives, or collective farms…” as an alternative to capitalism. This tells me that Lowy has no concept of the abolition of the “family unit” under communism, which places the majority of domestic and subsistence labor on women. Especially if waged labor is not abolished completely (which would be impossible in the near or medium future with his plan), this would only lead to increased pressure on women who already perform the vast majority of subsistence labor AND two-thirds of waged labor AND the vast majority of domestic labor. If everyone is growing food at home in units, how will we even begin to have time to develop society? Why is he so averse to centralized agro-science? To quote Anuradha Ghandy in her criticism of subsistence agriculture, it “is the petty pre-capitalist peasant economy with its feudal structures and extreme inequalities. In this economy women toiled for long hours in backbreaking labor with no recognition of their work.” (p. 72 of Philosophical Trends in the Feminist Movement).

Lowy is averse to Democratic centralism, considering it “totalitarian” and “authoritarian” and instead glorifies isolated and spontaneous movements. He insists he supports revolution and not reform, but literally all of his solutions engage in reform. Interestingly, he uses Engels and Gramsci as a source - but not the part where Engels states that “a revolution is certainly the most authoritarian thing there is” or Gramsci says “in the dialectic of ideas, anarchy is a continuation of liberalism, rather than socialism; anarchy will be expelled from the sphere of social reality along with liberalism.” Major pick & choose energy here.

TLDR - Lowy is philosophically incoherent and his solutions would lead to further exploitation of women; read a different book on the subject matter.

[JoAnna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three-line review: I wanted this book to educate and inspire me, but instead I found it confusing and quite dull. I personally agree with the main concept of the book — that capitalism and over-consumerism are killing the planet — but the arguments weren't cohesive or clarified well. Even if the idea of ecosocialism interests you, skip this one.

[hobokenbaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

this isn’t even about the book i’m just so proud of myself for like. learning new vocabulary words and big-brain concepts as a 26 y/o like i remember in college (modern) art classes reading “theory” and being like “well im actually too dumb to know all these words and abstract things go right over my head so im not even gonna try” i feel so bad for her (me) bc i was keeping myself small AND i really thought that it was too late for me to LEARN NEW THINGS………….HUHHHH?????? it’s never too late. i am way smarter now than i was as a college (super)senior and i smoke weed pretty much every day.
what i am saying is the best thing ive ever done for myself is believe i can understand things i couldn’t understand before 👍 such as the way world powers operate
also sorry to mother earth and sorry to the 30+ dead dolphins i just saw a news article about. makes me want to do something violent

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good essay compilation that marks the importance of fusing the “red” (Marxist analysis of class, capitalism, imperialism, etc) with the “green” (ecological sustainability, protection of natural resources especially those intertwined w indigenous communities).

The one on advertising was probably strongest. We waste massive amounts of resources to convince people that they need completely unnecessary products that are ALSO wastes of resources.

I understand the impulse but I personally could have done without all the criticisms of the previously existing socialist experiments of the 20th century. There’s critiques to be made about the “productivist, mastery over nature” characteristics of them but I didn’t feel like the author justified them enough or provided enough context.

[Maggie Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good—accessible introduction to these concepts, a little old-fashioned and simplistic about some pretty important ecological issues—e.g., GMOs (too strongly against) and solar power (not enough nuance in the support). It’s clear that this person is more of an economist than an ecologist, and once I approached this with that in mind it was more useful. Made some good points about the efficacy of capitalist efforts to stem climate change, but it read like a bunch of declarations stitched together (which, in a sense, it is) and I felt as though some deeper explanation and exploration was needed for most of the book.

I found the sections on Indigenous Latin American and Latin American socialism to be the most interesting—there was a lot of history presented in an almost textbook-like fashion.

[Nourhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for anyone interested in exploring ecosocialism! A short read full of good case studies and thought-provoking critiques of the limited scope of many leftist ideals — moving forward, merging ecology and socialism is critical for human survival and the survival of our planet. Indigenous peoples worldwide are at the forefront of this fight, and the last two chapters of the book are devoted to this.

[Linds · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read on the urgency of centering environmental concerns in socialist planning & centering anti-capitalist action in environmental protection efforts. My favorite chapter was the one on democratic planning. It did a really good job of showing what an ecosocialist economy would look like on the ground without shying away from the cultural challenges we face, like American obsession with the personal car as a symbol of individualism and freedom. Coverage was a bit patchy and I was definitely left with some questions, but that makes sense since this is a collection of articles by a single author and so would focus on his areas of interest within the realm of ecosocialism. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in a quick intro to the topic, especially as it relates to indigenous movements in Latin America.

[Tomasz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Czytając wstęp starałem się przymknąć oko na antynaukowe brednie o zagrożeniu z elektrowni jądrowej, ale w I rozdziale już mamy groźby drugiego Czarnobyla i rzekomo olbrzymie ilości odpadów. A pozostałe źródła to co? Energetyka słoneczna kwitowana jest stwierdzeniem, że trzeba więcej badań. Co za dwójmyślenie, to do EJ już nie trzeba, bo wszystko wiadomo? A na panele fotowoltaiczne to jakie surowce idą?

Książka traktująca o podstawach ekosocjalizmu, łopatologicznie tłumacząca ten nurt. Ale na Zielone brednie nie mam jednak siły.

[miranda meriwether · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people don’t like the essay format. Me I lust for a good essay compilation. Very informative, and I think it ties together stories of past and present to give a clear understanding of the state of things then, and now and what can be done.

[James Lees · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short read on the applications of Marxism and other ideologies and how they can (and should) be applied to the world to preserve its ecological sustainability. The premise of “ecosocialism” is this new world system that would therefore throw away the desire for limitless growth and profits and focus more on what is important; the Earth’s longevity and therefore the human races.
I enjoyed this book and find the importance of sharing ecologically minded pieces more and more understated in today’s climate of politics where everyone wants to ignore the bigger issues going on.

[Agnes Kelemen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very important book for me ideologically. It is also written in a readable style, and is useful for its many references to Portuguese, Spanish and French literature of the topic as well (especially for someone who is not a reader of those languages and is not very up to date about Latin American politics, I am one of these readers). The essay against the advertsiment industry is especially awesome!
The only thing I missed -which I have not found yet in other current socialist literature either - how can we actually create an ecosocialist way, what are the steps which lead there from today's capitalism?

[Hestia Istiviani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read in English but this review is in Bahasa Indonesia

Ecosocialism is a political current based on an essential insight: that preserving the ecological equilibrium of the planet and therefore an environment favorable to living species, including ours, is incompatible with the expansive and destructive logic of the capitalist system.

Terminilogi ekososialisme terdengar asing bagiku. Apakah ini merupakan gabungan dari kata ekologi + sosialisme?

Dalam Ecosocialism: A Radical Alternative to Capitalist Catastrophe, Michael Lowy menumpahkan isi kepalanya ke dalam 5 esai. Masing-masing fokusnya sama: tentang bagaimana lingkungan alam semakin tergerus dan menjadi bertambah buruk karena dieksploitas oleh manusia. Lowy memberikan banyak bukti bahwa kapitalismelah yang bertanggung jawab atas kejadian tersebut dan sudah sepantasnya, manusia mengubah sistem politiknya terhadap pengelolaan sumber daya alam.

Bagi yang masih awam dengan topik mengenai kerusakan lingkungan serta hubungannya dengan praktik kapitlasme, mungkin agak kebingungan. Di esai pertama, jujur saja, aku masih meraba-raba tentang poin yang ingin disampaikan oleh Lowy. Ia sebenarnya juga tidak serta merta mengatakan kalau sosialisme yang terbaik untuk memperbaiki keadaan alam. Ia juga mengkritisi bagaimana Marx dan Engels memiliki celah yang membuat sosialisme jangan-jangan tidak jauh beda dengan kapitalisme.

Barulah pada esai ketiga, rasanya aku bisa memahami tulisan Lowy. Dalam esai yang berjudul "Ecology and Advertising", pembaca disuguhkan betapa agensi iklan memang mencari keuntungan dengan cara mengeksploitasi alam. Lowy memberikan contoh-contoh yang mudah dibayangkan.

The problem is the prevailing type of consumption based on "false needs": display, waste, commodity fetishism. What is needed is production aimed at satisfying genuine need, beginning with those that might be called basic: food, water, shelter, garments.

Secara keseluruhan, Ecosocialism memang cukup tipis. Tetapi untuk mereka yang masih awam dengan isu ini, lima esai dari Lowy tetap akan meninggalkan kesan bingung. Aku sarankan untuk membaca secuplik tulisan Naomi Klein untuk memberikan sedikit pengantar tentang apa yang terjadi saat ini dengan alam kita.

Rasanya selepas membaca Ecosocialism, aku ingin membaca The Uninhabitable Earth deh...

[Sasha Dalabajan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Lowy's concise breakdown of what ecosocialism is, how this addresses the compounding capitalist system, and how this can only be achieved by putting indigenous groups and local communities at the forefront of the struggle is perfect for both introductory and supplementary texts on ecosocialism.

Despite the shifting of blame that multibillion corporations put on individuals, the fact remains that this climate crisis is brought about by the disaster that is capitalism - a system that unsustainably exploits natural resources in exchange for profits, which only people on top of the food chain has access to.

The book was short yet not lacking on its tactical and strategic positions. It explicitly defines that "environmental devastation will not be stopped in conference rooms and treaty negotiations". Lowy further points that the dominant global system, its politicians, bureaucrats, economists, and professors "send forth an endless stream of proposals, all variations on the theme that the world's ecological damage can be repaired without disruption of market mechanisms and of the system of accumulation that commands the world economy." Ultimately, only mass action, which capitalizes on urban and rural workers, indigenous peoples, peoples of the global South, can make a difference.

I struggled in finding myself in the environmental justice movement, but this book reminded me what my position, as a national of a US neocolony and third-world country, is in the movement and that it does have a space for me.

[Roberto Yoed · Rating 1 out of 5]

No: ecosocialism is not a thing; socialism (and therefore communist projects) are, inherently, and way before it even was conceptualized, ecological.

Also, Löwy reproduces the fictional and pathetic view of a supposedly existent chinese dystopia.

For a better understanding of the relation between ecology and marxism, avoid this and go read Bellamy Foster's works.

[Katy Lyons]

"Ecosocialism: A Radical Alternative to Capitalist Catastrophe" by Michael Löwy delves into the urgent need for ecological sustainability and social justice in our world today. Löwy adeptly weaves together the intricate threads of capitalism's detrimental effects on the environment and its exacerbation of social inequality, offering readers a visionary path towards a harmonious future. The book uncovers the inherent flaws of capitalism, shedding light on its relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of the environment and societal equity. Löwy skillfully juxtaposes this system against the backdrop of the ecological crisis, underscoring the imperative for a radical alternative. At its core, "Ecosocialism" explores ecosocialism, a framework that integrates socialist principles with ecological concerns. Löwy convincingly argues that socialism, with its emphasis on collective ownership, democratic decision-making, and equitable resource distribution, provides a solid foundation for addressing the ecological crisis. By championing the well-being of both humanity and the planet, ecosocialism transcends the profit-driven logic ingrained within capitalism. The book highlights the significance of forging alliances between diverse social and ecological movements, aiming to effect transformative change. Löwy emphasizes the importance of solidarity among workers, indigenous communities, feminists, anti-racist activists, and environmentalists in dismantling oppressive structures and confronting exploitation. Furthermore, "Ecosocialism" emphasizes the crucial role of the state in the transition to ecosocialism. Löwy advocates for a reimagined state that prioritizes collective welfare over corporate interests. He calls for radical democratic reforms that decentralize power and foster grassroots participation. While "Ecosocialism" provides a persuasive and accessible read, offering compelling arguments and engaging historical analysis, it would benefit from a more detailed exploration of concrete strategies for transitioning from capitalism to ecosocialism. Additionally, a broader discussion of potential obstacles and criticisms would enhance the book's overall impact. In conclusion, "Ecosocialism: A Radical Alternative to Capitalist Catastrophe" challenges the prevailing capitalist paradigm and presents an inspiring vision for a sustainable and just future. Löwy's astute analysis and impassioned advocacy for ecosocialism provide hope and inspiration for those seeking transformative solutions to the pressing ecological crisis. This book is an indispensable resource for scholars, activists, and individuals concerned about the fate of our planet and the well-being of future generations. Its profound insights and ability to inspire personal reflection make it essential reading for all individuals, regardless of their level of expertise on the subject matter.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cool, pretty compelling; I was challenged by the fact that it isn't anti-growth in the way a lot of this literature is, and which has become my default hermeneutic when thinking about this issue. But Löwy does a really stellar job in justifying his perspective, and I appreciate the explication of the evils of advertising-as-tool, something that is often implied but rarely treated directly. Recommended, pretty accessible.

Yes, the pessimists will answer, but individuals are moved by infinite aspirations and desires that have to be controlled, checked, contained, and if necessary repressed, and this may call for some limitations on democracy. But ecosocialism is based on a reasonable expectation, which Marx already held: the predominance, in a society without classes and liberated of capitalist alienation, of "being" over "having," i.e., of free time for the personal accomplishment by cultural, sportive, playful, scientific, erotic, artistic, and political activities, rather than the desire for an infinite possession of products.

Compulsive acquisitiveness is induced by the commodity fetishism inherent in the capitalist system, by the dominant ideology and by advertising: nothing proves that it is part of an eternal human nature." As Ernest Mandel emphasized, "The continual accumulation of more and more goods (with declining marginal utility') is by no means a universal and even predominant feature of human behavior. The development of talents and inclinations for their own sake; the protection of health and life; care for children; the development of rich social relations... all these become major motivations once basic material needs have been satisfied."

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, there wasn't much here that I haven't already been exposed to in other political theory. That being said, had I not heard anything of the merging of Marxism and Ecologism, this would be an excellent primer on the topic. The essays are brief but to the point. I especially liked the chapters on direct democratic planning and indigenous wisdom (but that might be the social ecologist in me).

The chapter on direct democracy in planning articulated the need for individuals to have a say in the urban planning of their communities. The top-down hierarchy of the Soviet Union demonstrates that even a leftist approach to planning fails to meet people's wants and desires while being ecologically harmonious if those same people's voices aren't being heard. Participatory democracy allows communities to enact change that is both good for the community and good for the enviornment. Given the proper political and ecological education, we can shape a better future.

[Ryan Glaspell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great, quick read that serves as an intro of sorts to viewing ecology through the lens of socialism. The chapter on advertising (as at least one other reviewer pointed out) is the standout segment of this book. I also love the attached manifestos in the appendix.

My only two critiques are:

1) The book is a bit repetitive. I get that it’s a short manifesto-styled work, so repetition is somewhat necessary, but it seemed like in every chapter you could find basically the same point.

2) There is no talk of the effect factory farming and meat consumption has on the environment. A lot of ink was devoted to automotive, fossil fuel, and advertising industries, but it seems odd that the consumption and methane emissions that occur within factory farming was nowhere to be seen.

All in all a really good book that will take no time to get through & gives a decent overview on ecosocialism.

[Roger Haak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggling with my rating. There is a lot of good stuff in this book. I am compelled by the economic theory of ecosocialsim, however, I don't believe this is the book for most to pick up. It's an easy read and a better skim, and looking at the details shows it's dated.

For example, "cut back on mass fishing?" No, we need to //end// mass fishing and only allow fishing for local, Indigenous communities, those who fish for survival and survival alone. Anti-GMO? Yeah, I get it, but the real argument is a certain genome shouldn't be copyrighted by a corporation that is then used to litigate small farmers into oblivion. The anti-GMO movement was so alarmist without critical examination, and there's a reason it's not on the forefront of ecological arguments today.

I wanted more from this book, and I got a few good takeaways. In the end, I wouldn't recommend it to others, but I'm hoping to find a good read on ecosocialsim and degrowth as an answer to capitalism.

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great bridge between the modern environmental/green movement, indigenous rights movements, and socialist theory, particularly in Latin America. Not only did I learn a good amount of history from this book, but there was also a good amount of analysis that I found particularly insightful and helpful in building on the ideas presented in each chapter.

I would say some of the chapters get a bit repetitive at times, which is frustrating for such a short book. I wish instead some of that space was instead dedicated to some relatively untouched topics in this book, such as environmental justice and the role of the military industrial complex in upholding and benefiting from capitalism and environmental degradation. The author also has an INTENSE disdain for nuclear energy, which, while understandable, is a bit of an odd enemy to fixate on for a good amount of the examples in this book in my opinion.

[Lauren]

A myriad of thoughts. Glad to be introduced to this concept, and to read these initial manifestos and declarations in the appendix. I think some of the arguments were made weak by what they failed to recognize—much criticism of car pollution without explicit mention of the far more polluting container ships and mass global trade—which, I suppose would fall under his call for changing consumption patterns.
Also, the idea that peasant/family unit based subsistence agriculture is what we should turn to cannot be the only solution—especially in an age of desertification and increasing lack of access to water—we need to be innovative in mass agriculture and distribution: green techniques in how we feed the world in addition to shifting consumption away from animal-based products.
But overall, glad to have been introduced to the concept of ecosocialism—the two pair together sensibly and I look forward to learning more on the topic.

[Nicole Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with many essay collections, this got a little repetitive in parts and I could have done without some of the melodramatic tone. That said, this collection also has a lot of value to offer readers interested in alternatives to the multiple crises of capitalism. Unlike capitalism, the alternative — Ecosocialism — is rooted in our physical reality and takes into consideration the constraints of a finite world from which we cannot separate ourselves (no matter how hard we pretend otherwise) as well as social justice.
I really liked the chapter on Chico Mendes and the bits about anti-capitalist, ecological, native movements in South America. I would have liked to read about more of those movements and key figures involved.
Oh, and this is definitely preaching to a relatively small, radical choir if you know what I mean.

[Hayden Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate Lowy's views and I appreciate that someone finally wrote a book about eco-socialism that describes its main tenets (even though Lowy does acknowledge that there is a lot of diversity among ecosocialists).

The book reads a bit strangely considering most of the chapters were published elsewhere and brought together in this edited collection; there are a few moments of overlap between the essays where Lowy seems to use the exact same wording.

I appreciate the boldness of this text to attempt a description of a radical alternative to capitalist catastrophe (as the subtitle suggests) and, while there are certainly problems and difficulties with Lowy's proposed alternative, I appreciate that he's willing to try and a lot of his ideas seem tenable. This book is urgently needed and I'm excited for others to build upon what he's started.

[Clayton Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a mixed bag for me. While I agree with the author on many points, I also find some of his takes wanting. He is strongly anti-nuclear continuously and without concretely laying out how to transition to Ecosocialism gives flawed reasoning for how decisions will be reached under it 'the rationality of democratic decisions will prevail post [advertising]'.

This being stated, I thought he brought important points to bear, such as highlighting indigenous movements as examples, a complete dissection of advertising (and its moral failings), and distinguishing authentic from artificial needs.

I would have preferred more examination in the weeds of how a transition to Ecosocialism could occur than 'support good capitalist environmental policy now until we get to ecosocialism', but alas perhaps knowing the goal will help us to find the path that yet remains obscured.