Post-Scarcity Anarchism

Hardcover, 265 pages

English language

Published Jan. 7, 1996 by Black Rose Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-920057-41-4
OCLC Number:: 16645602

(2 reviews)

In a series of related essays, Murray Bookchin balances his ecological and anarchist vision with the promising opportunities of a "post-scarcity" era. Surpassing Marxist political economy, which was rooted in an era of material scarcity, Bookchin argues that the tools necessary for the self-administration of society have largely been developed and, that, combined with an ecological outlook have greatly altered our revolutionary landscape. Technological advances made during the twentieth century have expanded production greatly, but in the pursuit of corporate profit and at the expense of human need and ecological sustainability. Far from a time when "capital accumulation" could be considered a prerequisite for liberation, the working class now more than ever can dispel the myth that obstructions such as the state, hierarchical social relations, and political parties (vanguards) are necessary appendages to their struggle for freedom. Bookchin's utopian vision, rooted in the realities of contemporary society, remains refreshingly pragmatic. …

In a series of related essays, Murray Bookchin balances his ecological and anarchist vision with the promising opportunities of a "post-scarcity" era. Surpassing Marxist political economy, which was rooted in an era of material scarcity, Bookchin argues that the tools necessary for the self-administration of society have largely been developed and, that, combined with an ecological outlook have greatly altered our revolutionary landscape. Technological advances made during the twentieth century have expanded production greatly, but in the pursuit of corporate profit and at the expense of human need and ecological sustainability. Far from a time when "capital accumulation" could be considered a prerequisite for liberation, the working class now more than ever can dispel the myth that obstructions such as the state, hierarchical social relations, and political parties (vanguards) are necessary appendages to their struggle for freedom. Bookchin's utopian vision, rooted in the realities of contemporary society, remains refreshingly pragmatic.

Perhaps his most influential collection of essays (including the legendary 'Listen, Marxist!', and 'Ecology And Revolutionary Thought') this new third edition includes a new preface from the author.

9 editions

dvo reviewed Post-Scarcity Anarchism by Murray Bookchin

A very faint sketch

3 stars

This book is mostly concerned with the idea that technology CAN produce a post-scarcity society, but if you're expecting a clear picture of what that looks like or what it entails, you're going to be disappointed. I read the third edition which included "Listen, Marxist!" which includes a very valuable anarchist reading of the October Revolution and how power was consolidated.

When Bookchin is rattling off all of the things his enlightened anarchist society can cast off, a lot of it is feminine. It doesn't invalidate the book but it does highlight some of his limitations as a social thinker.

I grabbed this off The Anarchist Library and fixed all of the OCR errors that were made in its production as I read through so if you're looking for a nice digital edition, I can recommend it.

tippy bottom reviewed Post-scarcity anarchism by Murray Bookchin (Working classics series ;)

Review of 'Post-scarcity anarchism' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

It was good man like even if you don't f**k with what Bookchin writes about you have to admit he's a damn good writer, and paints a beautiful picture of a potential utopian society. I would like more of a "how" to get there but there's obvious limitations to that considering when the book was written. Leaves me wondering what Bookchin would think of the world now and how close we are to achieving post-scarcity anarchism. It's a good read though, I'd recommend this book first to anyone wanting to jump into social ecology.

Subjects

Modern Western philosophy, c 1600 to the present
Politics / Current Events
General
Political Ideologies - Communism & Socialism
Political Science / General
Radicalism
Anarchism
Ecology