Re: living people's concrete problems

Mon, 20 Jul 1998 12:45:25 -0400 (EDT)
Andrew Wayne Austin (aaustin@utkux.utcc.utk.edu)

On Mon, 20 Jul 1998, Jay Hanson wrote:

>>Check our, for example, the Capitalism-Nature-Socialism website if you
>>want an insight into where the debate is at.
>
> Isn't that really the problem? Marxists can't answer simple questions.

Jay,

This is a straight-forward answer. There has been considerable
advancements in the area of the environment where Marxian theory is
concerned. Historical materialism, because of its emphasis on the resource
base and how this enters into production, is particularly designed for
ecological studies. The collected volume Is Capitalism Sustainable?
edited by Martin O'Connor and the journal Capitalism Nature Socialism
demonstrate that the Marxian critique of environmental affairs is way
ahead of the game. The author of the post you criticize was not only
disagreeing with you, but was also directing you to a vast store of
knowledge on this subject. I also recommend you read the work Alan
Schnaiberg and his concept of the "treadmill of production."

To continue to assert that Marxists have not been addressing this problem
is to admit to a profound ignorance of the very subject you wish to
criticize. If you want to criticize the Marxist position on these matters,
then it is imperative that you first become aware that Marxists have a
position, and then become clear as to what that position is. Only then can
your criticisms be taken as something other than an ideological position
against historical materialism.

Andy