Monthly Review Press

New! Can the Working Class Change the World?

New! Can the Working Class Change the World?

In his timely and innovative book, Michael D. Yates asks if the working class can, indeed, change the world. Deftly factoring in such contemporary elements as sharp changes in the rise of identity politics and the nature of work, itself, Yates wonders if there can, in fact, be a thing called the working class. If so, how might it overcome inherent divisions of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, location—to become a cohesive and radical force for change? Forcefully and without illusions, Yates supports his arguments with relevant, clearly explained data, historical examples, and his own personal experiences.

Countercurrents reviews Can the Working Class Change the World?

Countercurrents reviews Can the Working Class Change the World?

With the fall of Soviet Union, the revival of Capitalism in China and upsurge of right-wing movements and governments in large parts of the world with the exception of few countries of Latin America, author’s basic concern is whether this neo liberal right-wing trend can be overcome in favour of socialist revival? And who is going to lead this revival…

The UK’s Communist Review considers Karl Marx’s Ecosocialism

The UK’s Communist Review considers Karl Marx’s Ecosocialism

The subtitle, Capital, Nature and the Unfinished Critique of Political Economy, is a straightforward summary of Saito’s argument. He challenges the repeated criticism, since the 1970s, of Marx for “Prometheanism”, or “hyperindustrialism”, an alleged naïve acceptance of the common 19th century idea advocating the complete human domination of nature. …

New! The Biofuels Deception: Going Hungry on the Green Carbon Diet

New! The Biofuels Deception: Going Hungry on the Green Carbon Diet

Combining meticulous scientific narrative with devastating economic analysis, The Biofuels Deception argues that the seemingly innovative, hopeful campaign for “green energy” is actually driven by bio-technology industries and global grain-trading corporations. These corporate players are motivated by a late-capitalist need to cope with a crisis of accumulation; they have no real interest in mitigating climate change, alleviating poverty, or even creating “clean” energy….

“Understanding the political economy of what we eat”: Communist Review on A Foodie’s Guide to Capitalism

“Understanding the political economy of what we eat”: Communist Review on A Foodie’s Guide to Capitalism

Too often, food and agriculture have been left out of left-wing political discourse, as if peripheral to the class struggle. But actually, they are crucial. Family and peasant farmers need to be able to feed themselves and their families, while workers need nutritious diets too. However, capitalism needs a supply of landless labourers who have nothing to sell but their labour power …

“The Logic of Human Survival”: Against the Current reviews A Redder Shade of Green

“The Logic of Human Survival”: Against the Current reviews A Redder Shade of Green

‘Anthropocene’ refers to a new geological period, where the activities of human beings have become the dominant factor shaping the planet’s changing geology, biology and climate, including effects on humanity. Angus, and increasingly geologists, are focusing on the period beginning around 1950, when humanity’s impact, which had been developing gradually, underwent a ‘great acceleration’ — a dialectical transformation of quantity into quality….

Could the people who voted for Trump or Clinton overthrow capitalism? Climate & Capitalism reviews Michael Yates’s new book

Could the people who voted for Trump or Clinton overthrow capitalism? Climate & Capitalism reviews Michael Yates’s new book

The title of Michael Yates’ new book asks a question that every socialist has heard many times. We hear it from liberals who think changes can only be made by working inside the system. We hear it from radicals who simply can’t imagine working people moving against the system. ¶ Is it really possible that people who voted for Trump or Clinton — two faces of global reaction — might one day overthrow capitalism?….

New! Michael Tigar’s Mythologies of State and Monopoly Power

New! Michael Tigar’s Mythologies of State and Monopoly Power

Mythologies,” writes veteran human rights lawyer Michael Tigar, “are structures of words and images that portray people, institutions, and events in ways that mask an underlying reality.” For instance, the “Justice Department” appears, by its very nature and practice, to appropriate “justice” as the exclusive property of the federal government. In his brilliantly acerbic collection of essays, Tigar reveals, deconstructs, and eviscerates mythologies surrounding the U.S. criminal justice system, racism, free expression, workers’ rights, and international human rights.

November 26, Rockford, IL: Howard Waitzkin on “Health Care Under the Knife”

November 26, Rockford, IL: Howard Waitzkin on “Health Care Under the Knife”

Howard Waitzkin, author — along with the Working Group on Health Beyond Capitalism — of “Health Care Under the Knife: Moving Beyond Capitalism for Our Health,” will speak on the U.S. health-care system, and how it could rescued and made an integral part of a new and radically different society.