John
Bellamy Foster
Foster’s goal is not to reinterpret Marx in light of
present day ecological thinking; such an exercise would be of little value. Nor
is an examination of Marx’s social ecological thought merely to underscore the
fact that the relationships between humans and Nature were at the heart of
Marx’s analysis. While such underscoring may be valuable in more fully
understanding Marx’s thought and thus important for contemporary Marxist
theorists, social scientists, and historians, it would hold little relevance if
it were confined to such a narrow purpose. Rather, the real value in examining
Marx’s social ecology is in bringing Marx to the serious attention of ecologists
themselves; ecologists who have failed to appreciate the implications of Marxist
theory for understanding the ecological crises of our time.
Read:
Chapter 3: John Bellamy Foster’s
Ecological-Marxism in in Macrosociology: The
Study of Sociocultural Systems.
Agribusiness
Commodification
Green Revolution
Oligopoly
Balance of power
Conglomerates
Hyper-industrialism
Pauperization
Bourgeoisie
Contingency work
Hegemon
Proletariat
Capitalism
Dehumanization
Imperialism
Ruling class
Capitalist class
Depletion
Industrialization of war
Secondary labor market
Carrying capacity
Desertification
Liberal democracy
Social stratification
Cash-nexus
Ecosystem
Managerial capitalism
Socialism
Climate change
Environmentalism
Marxism
Structural unemployment
Commercialization
Expropriation
Multinational corporations
Sweatshops
Underemployment
Union
Wealthfare
Transnational corporation
D emonstrate
to me that you have read and mastered the course
material. Answer the following essay questions
to be turned in during class before your exam over this unit. For full credit,
a ddress the questions fully and
completely in your own words and voice. Length should be about
500 words per question.
What is the relationship between capitalism and
imperialism?
Discuss Fosters' analysis of the
causes of the 911 attacks. How does
this fit in with your view?
The following short answer questions are from your
readings and are to be turned in during class before your exam over this unit.
Each can be answered with a short paragraph of three or four sentences; use your
own words and voice.
According to Foster, what is the major cause of the
environmental destruction around us?
In what ways has our production system become hostile to
the environment?
According to Foster, why has American imperialism been
unleashed in the 1990s?
According to Foster, why did America go into Iraq?
How has his analysis held up in recent years?
How do humans relate to nature?
According to Foster, why do the American people support
foreign intervention?
What is the "Vietnam Syndrome"?
According to Foster, what actions constitute economic
imperialism?
What does Foster advocate to address the world's
environmental and social problems?
Links:
John Bellamy Foster's
Ecological Marxism
Review of Ecology Against Capitalism
Bibliography:
Foster, J. B. (2007, August 15). About Foster. (F. Elwell, Interviewer)
Foster, J. B. (2002).
Ecology Against Capitalism. New York: Monthly Review Press.
Foster, J. B. (1998).
Introduction to the 1998 Edition of Monopoly Capital. In H. Braverman, Labor
and Monopoly Capital: The Degradation of Work in the Twentieth Century (pp.
ix-xxiv). New York: Monthly Review Press.
Foster, J. B. (2000). Marx's
Ecology: Materialism and Nature. New York: Monthly Review Press.
Foster, J. B. (2006). Naked
Imperialism: The U.S. Pursuit of Global Dominance. New York: Monthly Review
Press.
Foster, J. B. (1999). The
Vulnerable Planet. New York: Monthly Review Press.
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©Frank Elwell
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