Coming to Terms with Nature: Socialist Register 2007

Brief Description: Since 1964, the Socialist Register has brought together leading writers on the left to investigate aspects of a common theme. Coming to Terms with Nature: Socialist Register 2007 examines whether capitalism can come to terms with today's ecological challenges and whether socialist thought has developed sufficiently to help us do so. Topics include: the ecological contradictions of capitalist accumulation and the growing social conflicts they create; the relationship between imperialism, markets, oil politics, and renewable energy; the significance of the impasse over the Kyoto protocol; and whether market forces and technology can overcome the "limits to growth" while preserving the biosphere. These essays also analyze how deeply consumerism affects working class politics and the shortcomings of Green parties and "green commerce." In addition, they address the necessity to redefine standards of living chiefly in the countries of the North in order to allow for the global redistribution of wealth and income that are critical for development in the South. The international roster of contributors includes Mike Davis and Neil Smith, Enrique Leff, Joan Martinez-Alier, Elmar Altvater, and Michael Lowy. Marc Notes: Published in the UK by Merlin Press (ISBN 0850365783); Published in Canada by Fernwood Publishing (ISBN 1552661954).; Includes bibliographical references. Publisher Marketing: This, the 43rd volume of the Socialist Register, is the first to focus exclusively on efforts to develop an eco-socialist understanding of contemporary capitalism and the politics that are needed to confront it in order to achieve democratic socialism and ecological sustainability. Editors Panitch (political science, York U., Canada) and Leys (emer Review Citations:

Reference and Research Bk News 05/01/2007 pg. 91 (EAN 9781583671528, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:  Panitch, Leo Leo Panitch is professor of political science at York University in Toronto and author of "Renewing Socialism: Democracy, Strategy, and Imagination". Contributor Bio:  Leys, Colin Colin Leys is professor of political science at York University, Toronto, and author of "Renewing Socialism: Democracy, Strategy, and Imagination.".