Ecology and Historical Materialism

by Jonathan Hughes

Overview

This book presents a systematic challenge to the widely-held view that Marxism is unable to deal adequately with environmental issues. Jonathan Hughes responds to criticisms of Marx's theory of history from environmental theorists, and offers an interpretation and reconstruction of key Marxian concepts, designed to show that the theory need not have harmful ecological consequences. He argues that the communist principle "to each according to his needs" must rest on a conception of needs that may be satisfied by a modest and ecologically-feasible expansion of productive output.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521667890
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/03/2000
Series:	Studies in Marxism and Social Theory
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	230
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.51(d)
Lexile:	1850L (what's this?)

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. Ecological problems: definition and evaluation; 2. Marxism and green Malthusians; 3. Marxism and the ecological method; 4. Historical materialism: locating society in nature; 5. Development of the productive forces; 6. Capitalism, socialism and the satisfaction of needs; Conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

"...few theorists have conducted an in-depth analysis of Marx's work to clearly articulate his approach to ecological questions. Analytical Marxism has been largely silent on this issue, until Hughes' Ecology and Historical Materialism. He provides a basis for expanding Marxism on theoretical grounds, while revealing how Marx's work yields necessary insights for ecology." Science and Society

"Hughes' argument is logically compelling and his approach is original." Environmental Ethics

From the Publisher