Bonfire: American Sociocide, Broken Relations, and the Quest for Democracy

by Charles Derber

Overview

Charles Derber shows how the US is moving toward sociocide – the erosion of durable, positive social relations in the economy, family, politics, and civil society essential to sustaining society itself – while offering pragmatic solutions.

Bonfire: American Sociocide, Broken Relations, and the Quest for Democracy examines how new technologies and financial strategies are part of broader economic, environment, cultural, and political shifts that create tipping points generating more competition, distrust, isolation, and violence. In doing so, Derber spells out the implications for democracy and social cohesion. Importantly, he explores options that could stop the spiral and reconstruct a sustainable and equitable community, civil society, and democracy via emerging movements against neoliberalism capitalism, climate change, war – and in favor of labor solidarity, human rights, and community.

This book will be of interest to students, scholars and activists with an interest in political sociology, political economy, and social movements in the US.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040371305
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/06/2025
Series:	Universalizing Resistance
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	150
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Charles Derber is professor of sociology at Boston College, USA. A lifelong social justice activist, his work focuses on the crises of capitalism, globalization, corporate power, militarism, the culture of hegemony, the climate crisis, and peace and global justice movements. His recent books include Turnout!: Mobilizing Voters in an Emergency (Routledge, 2020), Dying for Capitalism: How Big Money Fuels Extinction and What We Can Do About It (Routledge, 2023), Who Owns Democracy?: The Real Deep State and the Struggle Over Class and Caste in America (Routledge, 2024), and How We Win: Energizing Strategies, Voters, and Agendas (Routledge, 2024).

Table of Contents

Introduction: The great societal bonfire

1 The bonfire of social relations and democracy: The self-destructing society, tipping points of social disconnection, and the path to sociocide and policide

2 The bonfire of the new Robber Barons: Melting down productive relations and dissolving the workplace

3 The bonfire of the tech revolution: AI and social media, surveillance capitalism, and the sociocide of Silicon Valley

4 The bonfire of the vanities: The over-heated American Dream, me over we, and the culture of social media and the lonely

5 The bonfire of environmental devastation: Climate change, COVID‑19, and the sociocidal shock doctrine

6 The bonfire of the armed society: Packing heat, militarized America, and the new war system at home

7 The bonfire of American fascists: Racial and class policide, the anti-Democratic Party, and ballots to bullets in the Trump era

8 Beyond the bonfire: Historic lessons, sociophiliac movements, and creating deep democracy and community

Index

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Charles Derber’s previous works:

“This book is joyfully jammed with wisdom, experience, tools and motivation to overcome the ravages of the corporate state. So gripping is Welcome to the Revolution you can scarcely put this book down without putting yourself down.”
Ralph Nader for Welcome to the Revolution

“Charles Derber is one of our most astute and eloquent social critics… His political analysis is persuasive and is enlivened by graceful prose.”
Howard Zinn for Greed to Green

“In this lucid and informed study, Charles Derber breaks through the necessary illusions and shows how the United States is being turned into a ‘sociopathic society.’”
Noam Chomsky for Sociopathic Society

Praise for Bonfire:

“Fascinating, provocative, and very timely. I found it very hard to stop reading… On every page, there’s something startling to be learned about the past that is crucial to understanding our vertigo-inducing present.”
Daniel Ellsberg for Glorious Causes

“Derber masterfully traces how the erosion of social bonds and class solidarity has allowed racial division to be weaponized by both political parties throughout American political history to the present day."
Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, Ph.D., Founder, President & CEO of Global Policy Solutions

"Derber has done it again, diagnosing our current malaise by connecting the breakdown of social relations to the rise of authoritarianism."
Michael Burawoy, Professor of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley

"Bonfire artfully diagnoses the breakdown of social solidarity, the hollowing out of U.S. democracy, and the impending collapse of public life."
Chuck Collins, Institute for Policy Studies, author of Burned by Billionaires

"Derber’s new book, Bonfire, is just what is needed for the Trump years. Read it and help spread the warmth of resistance and a democratic Reconstruction."
Medea Benjamin, Cofounder of Code Pink and Global Exchange, winner of Ghandi and Martin Luther King peace prizes

"As Trump’s Far Right threat looms, this book becomes essential reading to prevent the self-destruction of any kind of real democracy within America."
Yale Magrass, Chancellor Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

"Derber sends us a stark warning: America is rapidly veering towards sociocide from the loss of trust and solidarity in the economy, family, and community. Yet he finds hope in history of progressive movements.
David L. Swartz, Professor of Sociology, Boston University

"Derber has discovered a key insight into the self-destructive dynamic taking control of America’s commanding heights. But Derber refuses to succumb to despair.”
Mark Sommer, founder and host of the syndicated radio program, A World of Possibilities

"An exceptionally important book. Essential reading for students and the public, to better understand their anxieties and fight for democracy."
Jonathan White and Shelley White, co-author of The Engaged Sociologist

From the Publisher