cap k impacts,

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Capitalism Kritik Page 1 of 77

eCapitalism Kritik

Capitalism Kritik .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1Capitalism K 1NC ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2Capitalism K 1NC ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3Capitalism K 1NC ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4Links

Interpassivity Link ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .. 5Reform Link ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8Reform Link ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9Reform Link ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10Reform Link ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11Reform Link ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12!olo"y Link .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13#iomimi!ry .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14missions $ra%in" Link ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1&missions $ra%in" Link ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18missions $ra%in" Link ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19'in"le Iss(e nvironment Link ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20Rene)a*les Link ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21$e!+nolo"y Link .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .. 23,lternative ner"y In!reases Cons(mption ................................................................................................................................................................................... 24,lternative ner"y In!reases Cons(mption ................................................................................................................................................................................... 25,lternative ner"y In!reases Cons(mption ................................................................................................................................................................................... 2&nvironment Link .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2-nvironment Link .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28armin" Link ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 29missions $ra%in"/Reform Link .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30'(staina*le evelopment Link ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31Impacte"emony Link/Impa!t ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 32t+i!al *li"ation Impa!t .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 34tin!tion Impa!t ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35veryt+in" Impa!t .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39nvironment Impa!t ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 43nvironment Impa!t ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 44nvironment Impa!t ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4&lo*al armin" Impa!t ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4-lo*al armin" Impa!t ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 48lo*al armin" Impa!t ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 49

Alternativei6ek ,lternative ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 50i6ek ,lternative ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 51,lternative 'olves .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 52#allot Key ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 53Answers to Affirmative Arguments,$ 7erm(tation .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 54,$ 7erm(tation .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 55,$ Link $(rns ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5&,$ Capitalism Inevita*le ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5-,$ $+ats (st #a% Capitalism ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59#allot Key ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... &0,$ 7erm(tation/Link $(rn ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. &1Affirmative Answers,ff: Capitalism Inevita*le .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. &2,ff: Capitalism Inevita*le .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. &3

,ff: Capitalism Inevita*le .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. &4,ff: i*son;ra+am ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... &5,ff: i*son;ra+am ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... &&,ff: Capitalism oo% < nvironment ............................................................................................................................................................................................ &-,ff: Capitalism oo% < nvironment ............................................................................................................................................................................................ &8,ff: Capitalism oo% ; nvironment ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ..... &9,ff: Capitalism oo% < 7ea!e .................................................................................................................................................................................................. ..... -0,ff: Capitalism oo% < 7ea!e .................................................................................................................................................................................................. ..... -1,ff: Capitalism oo% < =(ality ................................................................................................................................................................................................... -2,ff: Capitalism oo% < 7overty .................................................................................................................................................................................................... -3,ff: 'o!ialism #a% ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... -4,ff: 7erm(tation ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ -5,ff:7erm ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..... -&,ff: 7erm .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ..... --


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Capitalism K 1NC

First we begin with the LIK! "he affirmative#s attempt to pro$uce %green& energ' allows thes'stem to mask the un$erl'ing consumption an$ capitali(ation patterns that lea$ to the$estruction of the environment)

*ohn Foster Professor of +ociolog' an$ ,ennis +oron from the -niversit' of Alberta ./ > ?!olo"y>!apitalism> an% t+e so!iali6ation of nat(re 2004 @ A(

#B: I t+ink so. ,s yo( kno)> I0ve re!ently been uite critical of the strategies a$opte$ b' some groups. $ake t+e eampleof t+e International Bor(m on lo*ali6ation an% ot+er similar or"ani6ations> )+i!+ are very "oo% an% very pro"ressive inmany respe!ts. In some of t+eir re!ent reports> +o)ever> their main polic' prescription is to green the 3orl$ 4ank5 the3"65 an$ so on;;t+at is> to somehow make these institutions greener an$ more environmentall' frien$l'. I t+ink t+atthis approach is completel' lu$icrous) "hese institutions are controlle$ primaril' b' capital5 an$ their basic nature isnot going to change) "he' are merel' instruments of other powerful forces that nee$ to be a$$resse$) $+e )+ole p(rpose oft+e $> for instan!e> is to epan% "lo*al !apital a!!(m(lation> primarily to t+e *enefit of t+e ri!+est !o(ntries> *y removin" *arriers to t+e internationalmo*ility of !apital> eliminatin" state s(*si%ies an% re"(lations> an% *asi!ally applyin" neoli*eral pres!riptions every)+ere. $o t+is etent> there is nowa' that it can be greene$ in some wa' or turne$ into an environmental organi(ation) $o move for)ar%> we nee$ to

*e not only a lot more or"ani6e%> *(t more realisti! a*o(t t+e for!es )ere (p a"ainst> an% more )illin" to a$$ress the larger

economic issues at the heart of to$a'0s environmental crisis)Dost of all> the environmental movement nee$s to stopbelieving that simpl' talking to elite groups will somehow lea$ to a compromise that will save the environment) Forthe powers that be5 the primar' goal of sustainable $evelopment has come to be that of sustaining $evelopmentthat is5 sustaining economic $evelopment in the rich countries an$ sustaining the process of capital accumulation)"here is no basis for a compromise with that kin$ of institutional realit') !olo"y ,"ainst Capitalism ': Enlike somefello) ra%i!al e!olo"ists> )+o +ave ten%e% to portray Fmo%ernityF or Fin%(strialismF as t+e primary !a(ses of environmental%estr(!tion> yo(ve ma%e a stron" ar"(ment for t+e nee% to an!+or e!olo"i!al t+eory an% pra!ti!e in a systemi! !riti=(e of!apitalism. Co(l% yo( ela*orate on t+is pointG #B: Birst of all> it is a simple an% (navoi%a*le fa!t t+at capitalism is theactual social s'stem in which we live5 an$ that our primar' wa' of $esignating an$ un$erstan$ing that s'stem is to seeit as capitalist) Bor a very lon" time no)> so!ial s!ientists from %ifferent %is!iplines an% from a!ross t+e politi!al spe!tr(m +ave a"ree% on t+is an% +aves+are% a *asi! (n%erstan%in" of +o) t+e system )orks. In pro"ressive !ir!les> of !o(rse> people !ontin(e to %e*ate a*o(t )+et+er t+ey s+o(l% Fname t+esystemF or not> *e!a(se sometimes it seems too ra%i!al or too "ran%iose to !laim t+at !apitalism itself is to *lame for t+e pro*lems )e fa!e. In !ontrast> t+eesta*lis+ment s+o)s no s(!+ rel(!tan!e to FnameF !apitalism. Bort(ne ma"a6ine an% #(siness eek epli!itly praise t+e virt(es of !apitalism all t+e time.+atever approa!+ one a%opts> +o)ever> t+ere is still very little %o(*t a*o(t )+at o(r so!ial system a!t(ally is. 3ith respect to in$ustrialism5

we nee$ to remember that capitalism was $estructive of the environment on a global scale long before the In$ustrial8evolutionso the problem can0t simpl' be attribute$ to the presence of in$ustrial pro$uction metho$s. FDo%ernityF is a!ate"ory t+at is so over;ar!+in" t+at it is sometimes %iffi!(lt to kno) pre!isely )+at it means. +atever it is> an% )e !o(l% !ertainly %is!(ss t+is topi! for alon" time> it isnt a (sef(l )ay of %es!ri*in" a so!ial system. It mi"+t provi%e a )ay of %es!ri*in" a !ertain pattern of +istori!al %evelopment !+ara!teristi! of t+e so!ial system )e +ave to%ay> *(t it %oesnt really point (s to anyt+in" !on!rete. If mo%ernity itself )ere some+o) to *lame for environmental%e"ra%ation> t+en t+e pro*lem !o(l% *e epe!te% to eist only in Fmo%ernF so!ieties. I t+ink t+at t+is is too simplisti! a !on!l(sion to %ra). Dy o)n vie) ist+at t+e e!olo"i!al pro*lem +as eiste% for millennia> *(t t+at to (n%erstan% it in any parti!(lar +istori!al perio% )e +ave to look !on!retely at t+e +istori!alsystems t+at are in pla!e. I t+ink t+at !apitalism +as *een enormo(sly %estr(!tive of t+e environment> *(t it is *y no means t+e only so!ial system t+at +as

*een t+is )ay. 'oviet;style systems )ere %estr(!tive of t+e environment in some)+at %ifferent )ays for some)+at %ifferent reasons. Be(%al an% ot+ertri*(tary so!ieties of earlier millennia )ere also enormo(sly %estr(!tive of t+e environment. $+at sai%> the unprece$ente$ magnitu$e ofto$a'0s global ecological crisis shows us that capitalism reall' takes the cake) 3hen 'ou start looking concretel' at theforces that are generating this crisis5 it becomes clear that the' are inseparable from the basic $'namics of the globalcapitalist s'stem itself . $o%ay> as m(!+ as ever> capitalism $eman$s constant an$ rapi$ economic growth. istori!ally> it +as"enerally *een ass(me% t+at !apitalist e!onomies !o(l% *e epe!te% to enHoy an overall rate of "ro)t+ of a*o(t 3 per!ent a year. ,t t+is rate> t+e )orl%e!onomy )o(l% in!rease siteen times in a !ent(ry> 250 times in t)o !ent(ries> an% 4000 times in t+ree !ent(ries. $+is is H(st an arit+meti!al "ame in a )ay>

*(t it s+o)s (s t+at a system as epansive as t+e one )e +ave is inevita*ly "oin" to !a(se pro*lems in t+e !ontet of a limite% *iosp+ere. In%ee%5 theglobal economic s'stem is increasingl' beginning to rival the biogeochemical processes of the planet itself in terms ofscale) 6bviousl'5 this situation casts $oubt upon the viabilit' an$ effectiveness of environmental approaches whichsimpl' take the imperative of capitalist growth for grante$.


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Capitalism K 1NC

"he Impact is :nvironmental ,estruction! Capitalism is the root cause of all environmental$estruction an$ is a necessar' component of the $rive for profits)*ohn Foster again in 2..2 ?o+n #ellamy> 7rofessor of 'o!iolo"y at Eniversity of re"on> II. Capitalism an% e!olo"y:t+e nat(re of t+e !ontra%i!tion> (ne 15> 2002@ A(

"o$a' ecological crisis looms larger in our vision of anticapitalist revolt;;to a %e"ree t+at Dar %i% not an% !o(l% not per!eive. #(t o(r overall vision of t+e e!olo"i!al feat(res of a so!ialist revol(tion is s!ar!ely more ra%i!al t+an )+at Dar+imself envisione%> )it+ +is i%ea of t+e %issol(tion of t+e anta"onisti! relation of to)n an% !o(ntry an% an attempt toover!ome t+e meta*oli! rift t+ro("+ s(staina*le pro%(!tion *ase% on a !omm(nal so!iety of freely asso!iate% pro%(!ers.+en illiam Dorris %evelope% +is i%eas for t+e reor"ani6ation of relations *et)een to)n an% !o(ntry in Ne)s from

No)+ere +e )as kno)in"ly or (nkno)in"ly very !lose to t+e spirit of Dar. 3e have no more reason to$a' than ;ar<$i$ in his $a' to restrict our anal'sis of ecological contra$ictions to what can be incorporate$ into some specifictheor' of economic crisis) !onomi! !risis t+eory !an *e overemp+asi6e%> even fetis+i6e%. Let me "ive yo( an eample oft+is. Bor many years Darist politi!al e!onomists of vario(s pers(asions +ave en"a"e% in ela*orate attempts to eplain t+eimperialisti! ten%en!ies of !apitalism;;t+at is> t+e %rive of t+e !enter of t+e system to eploit t+e perip+ery;;*y pointin" tovario(s spe!ifi! t+eories of e!onomi! !risis. "he problem of all such perspectives5 in m' view5 is that the' miss the point!imperialism is not the pro$uct of this or that economic crisis ?nor %oes its si"nifi!an!e lie in +o) it in t(rn *ears on

e!onomi! !risis p+enomena@> rather it is =ust as basic to the s'stem5 as it has historicall' evolve$5 as the search forprofits itself) In other wor$s5 imperialism is a necessar' pro$uct of capitalism as a globali(ing force> an% to t+e etentt+at Dar +imself %ealt )it+ imperialism it )as of !o(rse mainly in t+is sense. !onomi! !risis !an !ompli!ate t+in"s in!ertain instan!es. 4ut attempts to see the whole realit' of imperialism through the prism of economic crisis onl'obscures its essential nature) In the case of ecological $egra$ation we are $ealing with a first or$er5 not a secon$ or$er5problem of capitalism ?an% not H(st of !apitalism@. :cological $egra$ation5 like imperialism5 is as basic to capitalism asthe pursuit of profits itself ?)+i!+ %epen% to a lar"e etent (pon it@. or shoul$ the environmental problem be seenlargel' through the economic prism in the sense that it $erives its significance from the e t+o("+ t+ey )ere !onsistent )it+ materialism. $+e (ltimate stren"t+ of Darist analysis +as never resi%e% !+iefly in its e!onomi! !risis t+eory> nor even in its analysis of !lass str(""le as s(!+> *(tlies m(!+ %eeper in its materialist !on!eption of +istory> *ot+ +(man an% nat(ral;;(n%erstoo%> as t+is only tr(ly !an *e> as a%iale!ti!al an% en%lessly !ontin"ent pro!ess. $+is means over!omin" in a nonre%(!tive )ay t+e split *et)een nat(ral;

p+ysi!al s!ien!e an% so!ial s!ien!e t+at +as *een one of t+e main alienate% intelle!t(al pro%(!ts of *o(r"eois so!iety.

Capitalism K 1NC

"he Alternative is to re=ect the affirmative> 8eform of the s'stem is not the answer) 6nl' are=ection of capitalism an$ a refusal to participate in its policies can $estro' the s'stem)


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Capitalism Kritik Page / of 77

*ames ?ero$ Author in 2../ ?ames> ettin" Bree> +ttp://Hames+ero%.info/Gse!J*ooki%J1@ A(

It is time to tr' to $escribe> at first a*stra!tly an% later !on!retely> a strateg' for $estro'ing capitalism. ,t its most *asi!>this strateg' calls for pulling time5 energ'5 an$ resources out of capitalist civili(ation an% p(ttin" t+em into *(il%in" a ne)!ivili6ation. $+e ima"e> t+en> is one of empt'ing out capitalist structures> +ollo)in" t+em o(t> *y %rainin" )ealt+> po)er> an%meanin" from t+em until there is nothing left but shells. $+is is %efinitely an a""ressive strate"y. It re=(ires "reat militan!y an% !onstit(tesan atta!k on t+e eistin" or%er.

"he strateg' clearl' recogni(es that capitalism is the enem' an$ must be $estro'e$5 but it isnot a frontal attack aime$ at overthrowing the s'stem@ it is an insi$e attack aime$ at gutting it5 while simultaneousl'replacing it with something better5 something we want. $+(s> capitalist structures ?!orporations> "overnments> *anks>s!+ools> et!.@ are not sei(e$ so much as simpl' aban$one$) Capitalist relations are not fought so much as the' aresimpl' re=ecte$) 3e stop participating in activities that support ?finan!e> !on%one@ the capitalist worl$ an$ startparticipating in activities that buil$ a new worl$ while simultaneousl' un$ermining the ol$)e !reate a ne) pattern of so!ialrelations alon"si%e !apitalist ones> an% t+en !ontin(ally *(il% an% stren"t+en o(r ne) pattern )+ile %oin" everyt+in" )e !an to )eaken !apitalist relations. Int+is )ay o(r ne) %emo!rati!> non+ierar!+i!al> non!ommo%ifie% relations !an event(ally over)+elm t+e !apitalist relations an% for!e t+em o(t of eisten!e.$+is is +o) it +as to *e %one. "his is a plausible5 realistic strateg') "o think that we coul$ create a whole new worl$ of $ecentsocial arrangements overnight5 in the mi$st of a crisis5 $uring a so calle$ revolution or the collapse of capitalism5 isfoolhar$') 6ur new social worl$ must grow within the ol$5 an$ in opposition to it5 until it is strong enough to$ismantle an$ abolish capitalist relations) '(!+ a revol(tion )ill never +appen a(tomati!ally> *lin%ly> %etermina*ly>

*e!a(se of t+e ineora*le materialist la)s of +istory. It )ill +appen> an% only +appen> *e!a(se )e )ant it to> an% *e!a(se )ekno) )+at )ere %oin" an% +o) )e )ant to live> )+at o*sta!les +ave to *e over!ome *efore )e !an live t+at )ay> an% +o)

to %istin"(is+ *et)een o(r so!ial patterns an% t+eirs. #(t we must not think that the capitalist worl$ can simpl' beignore$5 in a livean$letlive attitu$e5 while we tr' to buil$ new lives elsewhere) ?,s mentione% earlier> t+ere is noelse)+ere.@ $+ere is at least one t+in"> )a"e slavery> t+at )e !ant simply stop parti!ipatin" in ?*(t even +ere t+ere are )ays)e !an !+ip a)ay at it@. Capitalism must be e *(t it is not a)ar in t+e tra%itional sense of armies an% tanks it is a )ar fo("+t on a %aily *asis> on t+e level of every%ay life> *y millions of people. It is a )ar nevert+eless *e!a(se t+ea!!(m(lators of !apital )ill (se !oer!ion> *r(tality> an% m(r%er> as t+ey +ave al)ays %one in t+e past> to try to *lo!k any reHe!tion of t+e system. $+ey +ave al)ays +a% to for!e!omplian!e t+ey )ill not +esitate to !ontin(e to %o so. 'till> t+ere are many !on!rete )ays t+at in%ivi%(als> "ro(ps> an% nei"+*or+oo%s !an "(t !apitalism> )+i!+ I )ill en(merates+ortly. e m(st al)ays keep in min% +o) )e *e!ame slaves t+en )e !an see more !learly +o) )e !an !ease *ein" slaves. e )ere for!e% into )a"e slavery *e!a(se t+e r(lin"!lass slo)ly> systemati!ally> an% *r(tally %estroye% o(r a*ility to live a(tonomo(sly. #y %rivin" (s off t+e lan%> !+an"in" t+e property la)s> %ismantlin" !omm(nity ri"+ts>%estroyin" o(r tools> imposin" taes> "(ttin" o(r lo!al markets> an% so fort+> )e )ere for!e% onto t+e la*or market in or%er to s(rvive> o(r only remainin" option *ein" to sell o(ra*ility to )ork for a )a"e. Its =(ite !lear> t+en> +o) )e !an overt+ro) slavery: )e m(st reverse t+is pro!ess. e m(st *e"in to rea!=(ire t+e a*ility to live )it+o(t )orkin" for a)a"e or *(yin" t+e pro%(!ts ma%e *y )a"e slaves ?t+at is> )e m(st f ree o(rselves from t+e la*or market an% t+e )ay of livin" *ase% on it@> an% em*e% o(rselves instea% in

!ooperative la*or an% !ooperatively pro%(!e% "oo%s. ,not+er !larifi!ation is nee%e%. "his strateg' $oes not call for reforming capitalism5 forchanging capitalism into something else) It calls for totall' replacing capitalism with a new civili(ation) "his is animportant $istinction because capitalism has prove$ impervious to reforms as a s'stem) e !an sometimes> in some pla!es> )in!ertain !on!essions from it ?(s(ally only temporary ones@ an% some ?(s(ally s+ort-live%@ improvements in o(r lives as its vi!tims> *(t we cannot

reform it piecemeal) ?ence5 our strateg' of gutting an$ eventuall' $estro'ing capitalism reuires at a minimum atotali(ing image5 an awareness that we are attacking an entire wa' of life an$ replacing it with another> an% not merelyreformin" one )ay of life into somet+in" else. ;an' people ma' not be accustome$ to thinking about entire s'stems an$social or$ers5 but ever'one knows what a lifest'le is5 or a wa' of life5 an$ that is the wa' we shoul$ approach it) $+et+in" is t+is: in or%er for !apitalism to *e %estroye%> millions an% millions of people m(st *e %issatisfie% )it+ t+eir )ay of life. $+ey m(st )ant somet+in" else an% see !ertaineistin" t+in"s as o*sta!les to "ettin" )+at t+ey )ant. It is not (sef(l to t+ink of t+is as a ne) i%eolo"y. It is not merely a *elief system t+at is nee%e%> like a reli"ion> or likemarism or anar!+ism. Rat+er it is a ne) prevailin" vision> a %ominant %esire> an overri%in" nee%. +at m(st eist is a pressin" %esire to live a !ertain )ay an% not to live anot+er)ay. If t+is pressin" %esire )ere a %esire to live free> to *e a(tonomo(s> to live in %emo!rati!ally !ontrolle% !omm(nities> to parti!ipate in t+e self;re"(latin" a!tivities of a mat(re people> t+en !apitalism !o(l% *e %estroye%. t+er)ise> )e are %oome% to perpet(al slavery an% possi*ly even to etin!tion. $+e !ontent of t+is vision is a!t(ally not ne) at all.$+e lon";term "oal of !omm(nists> anar!+ists> an% so!ialists +as al)ays *een to restore !omm(nity. ven t+e "reat peasant revolts of early !apitalism so("+t to free people frometernal a(t+orities an% restore a(tonomy to villa"es. Dar %efine% !omm(nism on!e as a free asso!iation of pro%(!ers> an% at anot+er time as a sit(ation in )+i!+ t+e free

%evelopment of ea!+ is a !on%ition for t+e free %evelopment of all. ,nar!+ists +ave al)ays !alle% for )orker an% peasant self -mana"e% !ooperatives. "he longtermgoals have alwa's been clear! to abolish wage slaver'5 era$icate a social or$er organi(e$ solel' aroun$ theaccumulation of capital for its own sake> an% esta*lis+ in its pla!e a so!iety of free people )+o %emo!rati!ally an%!ooperatively self;%etermine t+e s+ape of t+eir so!ial )orl%.

http://jamesherod.info/?sec=book&id=1http://jamesherod.info/?sec=book&id=1http://jamesherod.info/?sec=book&id=1


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Capitalism Kritik Page of 77

Interpassivity Link

"he affirmative is interpassivit' B not an attempt to break $own the capitalist s'stem but tochallenge it while maintaining it) 8eform an$ resistance is tolerate$ an$ coopte$ b' capitalism5leaving us $isempowere$)

+lavo= i(ek professor of philosoph' at the Institute for +ociolog' 2..2 ? Revol(tion at t+e ates> p" 1&-;1-2@A(

$+e pro*lem lies in t+e f(rt+er impli!it =(alifi!ations )+i!+ !an easily *e %is!erne% *y a M!on!rete analysis of t+e !on!retesit(ation> as Lenin +imself )o(l% +ave p(t it. MBi%elity to t+e %emo!rati! !onsens(s means acceptance of the presentliberalparliamentar' consensus> )+i!+ preclu$es an' serious uestioning of the wa' this liberal$emocratic or$er iscomplicit in the phenomena it officiall' con$emns5 an$5 of course5 an' serious attempt to imagine a $ifferentsociopolitical or$er) In s+ort> it means! sa' an$ write whatever 'ou like D on con$ition that 'ou $o not actuall'uestion or $isturb the prevailing political consensus) :ver'thing is allowe$5 solicite$ even5 as a critical topic! theprospect of a global ecological catastrophe violations of +(man ri"+ts seism> +omop+o*ia> anti;feminism "ro)in"violen!e not only in fara)ay !o(ntries> *(t also in o(r o)n me"alopolises the gap between the First an$ the "hir$ 3orl$5between rich an$ poor@ t+e s+atterin" impa!t of t+e %i"itali6ation of o(r %aily lives ... to%ay> t+ere is not+in" easier t+an to"et international> state or !orporate f(n%s for a m(lti%is!iplinary resear!+ proHe!t on +o) to fi"+t ne) forms of et+ni!>reli"io(s or seist violen!e. "he problem is that all this occurs against the backgroun$ of a fun$amental enkver*ot: aprohibition on thinking) $o%ays li*eral;%emo!rati! +e"emony is s(staine% *y a kin% of (n)ritten enkver*ot similar to t+einfamo(s #er(fsver*ot ?pro+i*ition on employin" in%ivi%(als )it+ ra%i!al Left leanin"s in t+e state or"ans@ in ermany int+e late 19&0s O the moment we show a minimal sign of engaging in political pro=ects which aim seriousl' to challengethe e& $+ei%eolo"i!al f(n!tion of !onstant referen!es to t+e olo!a(st> t+e (la"> an% more re!ent $+ir% orl% !atastrop+es is t+(s toserve as t+e s(pport of t+is enkver*ot *y constantl' remin$ing us how things coul$ have been much worse: M(st lookaro(n% an% see for yo(rself )+at )ill +appen if )e follo) yo(r ra%i!al notionsP +at )e en!o(nter +ere is t+e (ltimateeample of )+at ,nna inerstein an% Dike Neary +ave !alle% t+e proHe!t of %is(topia: Mnot H(st t+e temporary a*sen!e ofEtopia> *(t t+e politi!al !ele*ration of t+e en% of so!ial %reams.2 ,n% t+e %eman% for Ms!ientifi! o*He!tivity amo(nts to H(stanot+er version of t+e same enkver+ot: t+e moment )e serio(sly =(estion t+e eistin" li*eral !onsens(s> )e are a!!(se% ofa*an%onin" s!ientifi! o*He!tivity for o(t%ate% i%eolo"i!al positions. $+is is t+e MLeninist point on )+i!+ one !annot an%s+o(l% not !on!e%e: to$a'5 actual free$om of thought means free$om to uestion the prevailing liberal$emocratic%posti$eological& consensus D or it means nothing. $+e Ri"+t to $r(t+ $+e perspe!tive of t+e !riti=(e of i%eolo"y

!ompels (s to invert itt"ensteins M+at one !annot speak a*o(t> t+ereof one s+o(l% *e silent into M+at one s+o(l% notspeak a*o(t> t+ereof one !annot remain silent. If yo( )ant to speak a*o(t a so!ial system> yo( !annot remain silent a*o(t itsrepresse% e!ess. $+e point is not to tell t+e )+ole $r(t+ *(t> pre!isely> to appen% to t+e ?offi!ial@ +ole t+e (neasys(pplement )+i!+ %eno(n!es its falsity. ,s Da ork+eimer p(t it *a!k in t+e l930s: MIf yo( %ont )ant to talk a*o(t!apitalism> t+en yo( s+o(l% keep silent a*o(t Bas!ism. Bas!ism is t+e in+erent Msymptom ?t+e ret(rn of t+e represse%@ of!apitalism> t+e key to its Mtr(t+> not H(st an eternal !ontin"ent %eviation of its Mnormal lo"i!. ,n% t+e same "oes forto%ays sit(ation: t+ose )+o %o not )ant to s(*He!t li*eral %emo!ra!y an% t+e fla)s of its m(lti!(lt(ralist toleran!e to !riti!alanalysis> s+o(l% keep =(iet a*o(t t+e ne) Ri"+tist violen!e an% intoleran!e. If )e are to leave t+e opposition *et)een li*eral;%emo!rati! (niversalism an% et+ni!/reli"io(s f(n%amentalism *e+in%> t+e first step is to a!kno)le%"e t+e eisten!e of li*eralf(n%amentalism: t+e perverse "ame of makin" a *i" f(ss )+en t+e ri"+ts of a serial killer or a s(spe!te% )ar !riminal areviolate%> )+ile i"norin" massive violations of Mor%inary peoples ri"+ts. Dore pre!isely> t+e politi!ally !orre!t stan!e *etraysits perverse e!onomy t+ro("+ its os!illation *et)een t+e t)o etremes: eit+er fas!ination )it+ t+e vi!timi6e% ot+er ?+elpless!+il%ren> rape% )omen . . .@> or a fo!(s on t+e pro*lemati! ot+er )+o> alt+o("+ !riminal> an% so on> also %eserves prote!tion

of +is +(man ri"+ts> *e!a(se Mto%ay its +im> tomorro) itll *e (s ?an e!ellent eample is Noam C+omskys %efen!e of aBren!+ *ook a%vo!atin" t+e revisionist stan!e on t+e olo!a(st@. n a %ifferent level> a similar instan!e of t+e perversity of7oliti!al Corre!tness o!!(rs in enmark> )+ere people speak ironi!ally of t+e M)+ite )omans *(r%en> +er et+i!o;politi!al%(ty to +ave se )it+ immi"rant )orkers from $+ir% orl% !o(ntries O t+is *ein" t+e final ne!essary step in en%in" t+eire!l(sion. $o%ay> in t+e era of )+at a*ermas %esi"nate% as %ie ne(e En(*ersi!+tli!+keit ?t+e ne) opa!ity@>Q our ever'$a'e is symptomati! of a so!iety in )+i!+ !+oi!es no lon"er really matter> are triviali6e%. $+e lesson of t+etime;)arp narratives is even *leaker> sin!e it points to)ar%s a total !los(re: t+e very attempt to avoi% t+e pre%estine% !o(rseof t+in"s not only lea%s (s *a!k to it> *(t a!t(ally !onstit(tes it O from e%ip(s on)ar%s> )e )ant to avoi% ,> an% it ist+ro("+ o(r very %eto(r t+at , reali6es itself. In these circumstances5 we shoul$ be especiall' careful not to confuse the


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ruling i$eolog' with i$eolog' which seems to $ominate. Dore t+an ever> )e s+o(l% *ear in min% alter #enHaminsremin%er t+at it is not eno("+ to ask +o) a !ertain t+eory ?or art@ positions itself )it+ re"ar% to so!ial str(""les O )e ask+o) it a!t(ally f(n!tions in t+ese very str(""les. In se> t+e tr(e +e"emoni! attit(%e is not patriar!+al repression> *(t free

promis!(ity in art> provo!ations in t+e style of t+e notorio(s M'ensation e+i*itions are t+e norm> t+e eample of art f(llyinte"rate% into t+e esta*lis+ment. ,yn Ran% *ro("+t t+is lo"i! to its !on!l(sion> s(pplementin" it )it+ a kin% of e"eliant)ist> t+at is> reassertin" t+e offi!ial i%eolo"y itself as its o)n "reatest trans"ression> as in t+e title of one of +er late non;fi!tion *ooks: MCapitalism> $+is Enkno)n I%eal> or in Mtop mana"ers> ,meri!as last en%an"ere% spe!ies. In%ee%> since the%normal& functioning of capitalism involves some kin$ of $isavowal of the basic principle of its functioning Gto$a'#smo$el capitalist is someone who5 after ruthlessl' generating profit5 then generousl' shares parts of it5 giving large$onations to churches5 victims of ethnic or se Ereenpeace5 feminist an% anti;ra!ist !ampai"ns> whichare all not onl' tolerate$ but even supporte$ b' the me$ia5 even if the' seemingl' encroach on economic territor' ?foreample> %eno(n!in" an% *oy!ottin" !ompanies )+i!+ %o not respe!t e!olo"i!al !on%itions> or (se !+il% la*o(r@ D the' aretolerate$ an$ supporte$ as long as the' $o not get too close to a certain limit) "his kin$ of activit' provi$es theperfect e t+ey %o so in t+e !o%e% )ay t+at eemplifies olly)oo% li*eral paranoia: the enem' is %the s'stem&5 the hi$$en%organi(ation&5 the anti$emocratic %conspirac'&5 not simpl' capitalism an$ state apparatuses) "he problem with thiscritical stance is not onl' that it replaces concrete social anal'sis with a struggle against abstract paranoiac fantasies5but that D in a t'pical paranoiac gesture D it unnecessaril' re$oubles social realit'5 as if there were a secret6rgani(ation behin$ the %visible& capitalist an$ state organs. +at )e s+o(l% a!!ept is t+at t+ere is no nee% for a se!retMor"ani6ation;)it+in;an;or"ani6ation. t+e M!onspira!y is alrea%y in t+e Mvisi*le or"ani6ation as s(!+> in t+e !apitalist

system> in t+e )ay t+e politi!al spa!e an% state apparat(ses )ork.8 Let (s take one of t+e +ottest topi!s in to%ays Mra%i!al,meri!an a!a%emia: post!olonial st(%ies. $+e pro*lem of post!olonialism is (n%o(*te%ly !r(!ial +o)ever> post!olonialst(%ies ten% to translate it into t+e m(lti!(lt(ralist pro*lemati! of t+e !oloni6e% minorities Mri"+t to narrate t+eir vi!timi6in"eperien!e> of t+e po)er me!+anisms )+i!+ repress Mot+erness> so t+at> at t+e en% of t+e %ay> )e learn t+at t+e root of

post!olonial eploitation is o(r intoleran!e to)ar%s t+e t+er> an%> f(rt+ermore> t+at t+is intoleran!e itself is roote% in o(rintoleran!e to)ar%s t+e M'tran"er in (rselves> in o(r ina*ility to !onfront )+at )e +ave represse% in an% of o(rselves Ot+e politi!o;e!onomi! str(""le is t+(s imper!epti*ly transforme% into a pse(%opsy!+oanalyti! %rama of t+e s(*He!t (na*le to!onfront its inner tra(mas. . . . ?+y pse(%o;psy!+oanalyti!G #e!a(se t+e tr(e lesson of psy!+oanalysis is not t+at t+eeternal events )+i!+ fas!inate an%/or %ist(r* (s are H(st proHe!tions of o(r inner represse% imp(lses. $+e (n*eara*le fa!t oflife is t+at t+ere really are %ist(r*in" events o(t t+ere: t+ere are ot+er +(man *ein"s )+o eperien!e intense se(al enHoyment)+ile )e are +alf;impotent t+ere are people s(*mitte% to terrifyin" tort(re.. . . ,"ain> t+e (ltimate tr(t+ of psy!+oanalysis isnot t+at of %is!overin" o(r tr(e 'elf> *(t t+at of t+e tra(mati! en!o(nter )it+ an (n*eara*le Real.@ $+e tr(e !orr(ption of,meri!an a!a%emia is not primarily finan!ial> it is not only t+at (niversities are a*le to *(y many (ropean !riti!alintelle!t(als ?myself in!l(%e% O (p to a point@> *(t !on!ept(al: notions of %:uropean& critical theor' are imperceptibl'translate$ into the benign universe of Cultural +tu$ies chic) ,t a !ertain point> t+is !+i! *e!omes in%istin"(is+a*le fromt+e famo(s Citi*ank !ommer!ial in )+i!+ s!enes of ast ,sian> (ropean> #la!k an% ,meri!an !+il%ren playin" isa!!ompanie% *y t+e voi!e;over: M7eople )+o )ere on!e %ivi%e% *y a !ontinent ... are no) (nite% *y an e!onomy O at t+is!on!l(%in" +i"+point> of !o(rse> t+e !+il%ren are repla!e% *y t+e Citi*ank lo"o. "he great ma=orit' of to$a'#s %ra$ical&aca$emics silentl' count on the longterm stabilit' of the American capitalist mo$el> )it+ a se!(re ten(re% position ast+eir (ltimate professional "oal ?a s(rprisin" n(m*er of t+em even play t+e sto!k market@. If there is one thing the' aregenuinel' afrai$ of5 it is a ra$ical shattering of the Grelativel'H safe lifeenvironment of the %s'mbolic classes& in$evelope$ 3estern societies) $+eir e!essive 7oliti!ally Corre!t 6eal )+en t+ey are %ealin" )it+ seism> ra!ism> $+ir%orl% s)eats+ops> an% so on> is t+(s (ltimately a %efen!e a"ainst t+eir o)n innermost i%entifi!ation> a kin% of !omp(lsiverit(al )+ose +i%%en lo"i! is: MLets talk as m(!+ as possi*le a*o(t t+e ne!essity of a ra%i!al !+an"e> to make s(re t+at not+in")ill really !+an"eP $+e Ho(rnal !to*er is typi!al of t+is: )+en yo( ask one of t+e e%itors )+at t+e title refers to> t+ey +alf;!onfi%entially in%i!ate t+at it is> of !o(rse> t+at !to*er O in t+is )ay> yo( !an in%(l"e in Har"onisti! analyses of mo%ern art>


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)it+ t+e se!ret ass(ran!e t+at yo( are some+o) retainin" a link )it+ t+e ra%i!al revol(tionary past.. . . it+ re"ar% to t+isra%i!al !+i!> o(r first "est(re to)ar%s $+ir% ay i%eolo"ists an% pra!titioners s+o(l% *e one of praise: at least t+ey play t+eir"ame strai"+t> an% are +onest in t+eir a!!eptan!e of t+e "lo*al !apitalist !o;or%inates O (nlike pse(%o;ra%i!al a!a%emi!Leftists )+o a%opt an attit(%e of (tter %is%ain to)ar%s t+e $+ir% ay> )+ile their own ra$icalism ultimatel' amounts to anempt' gesture which obliges no one to $o an'thing $efinite. $+ere is> of !o(rse> a stri!t %istin!tion to *e ma%e +ere

*et)een a(t+enti! so!ial en"a"ement on *e+alf of eploite% minorities ?for eample> or"ani6in" ille"ally employe% !+i!anofiel% )orkers in California@ an% t+e m(lti!(lt(ralist/post!olonial Mplantations of no;risk> no;fa(lt> kno!k;off re*ellion )+i!+

prosper in Mra%i!al ,meri!an a!a%emia) If5 however5 in contrast to corporate multiculturalism&5 we $efine %criticalmulticulturalism& as a strateg' of pointing out that %there are common forces of oppression5 common strategies ofe


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Reform Link

8eform articulate$ within capitalism onl' reinforces the capitalist econom')i(ek Professor of philosoph' in 2..1 ?'lavoH> professor of p+ilosop+y at t+e Instit(te for 'o!iolo"y> LH(*lHana>R7,$IN LNIN> +ttp://))).la!an.!om/replenin.+tm @ A(

o)ever> the outcome of this crisis of the private propert' of the means of pro$uction is b' no means guarantee$ it is?:8: that one shoul$ take into account the ultimate para$o< of the +talinist societ'! against the capitalism which isthe class societ'5 but in principle egalitarian5 without $irect hierarchical $ivisions5 the mature +talinism is aclassless societ' articulate$ in precisel' $efine$ hierarchical groups ?top nomenklat(ra> te!+ni!al intelli"en!e> army...@.+at t+is means is t+at> alrea%y for 'talinism> t+e !lassi! Darist notion of t+e !lass str(""le is no lon"er a%e=(ate to%es!ri*e its +ierar!+y an% %omination: in t+e 'oviet Enion from t+e late 20s on)ar%s> t+e key so!ial %ivision )as not %efine%

*y property> *(t *y t+e %ire!t a!!ess to po)er me!+anisms an% to t+e privile"e% material an% !(lt(ral !on%itions of life ?foo%>a!!ommo%ation> +ealt+!are> free%om of travel> e%(!ation@. ,n%> per+aps> t+e (ltimate irony of +istory )ill *e t+at> in t+esame )ay Lenins vision of t+e F!entral *ank 'o!ialismF !an *e properly rea% only retroa!tively> from to%ays orl% i%ee*> t+e 'oviet Enion provi%e% t+e first mo%el of t+e %evelope% Fpost;propertyF so!iety> of t+e tr(e Flate !apitalismF in)+i!+ t+e r(lin" !lass )ill *e %efine% *y t+e %ire!t a!!ess to t+e ?informational> a%ministrative@ means of so!ial po)er an%!ontrol an% to ot+er material an% so!ial privile"es: t+e point )ill no lon"er *e to o)n !ompanies> *(t %ire!tly to r(n t+em> to+ave t+e ri"+t to (se a private Het> to +ave a!!ess to top +ealt+ !are> et!. ; privile"es )+i!+ )ill *e a!=(ire% not *y property>

*(t *y ot+er ?e%(!ational> mana"erial> et!.@ me!+anisms. "o$a'5 we alrea$' can $iscern the signs of a kin$ of generalunease recall the series of events usuall' liste$ un$er the name of +eattle) "he 1. 'ears hone'moon of thetriumphant global capitalism is over5 the longover$ue seven 'ears itch is here witness the panick' reactions of thebig me$ia5 which from the "ime maga(ine to C all of a su$$en starte$ to warn about the ;ar marketin" strate"y> et!. In ot+er)or%s> t+e key FLeninistF lesson to%ay is: politi!s )it+o(t t+e or"ani6ational BRD of t+e party is politi!s )it+o(t politi!s>so the answer to those who want =ust the ?=(ite a%e=(ately name%@ ew +6CIAL ;ovements is t+e same as t+e ans)er of t+e a!o*ins to t+e iron%in !ompromisers: Jou want revolution without a revolution> "o$a'0s blocka$e is thatthere are two wa's open for the sociopolitical engagement! either pla' the game of the s'stem5 engage in the longmarch through the institutions5 or get active in new social movements5 from feminism through ecolog' to anti;ra!ism.

An$5 again5 the limit of these movements is that the' are not P6LI"ICAL in the sense of the -niversal +ingular! the'are one issue movements which lack the $imension of the universalit'> i.e. the' $o not relate to the social"6"ALI"J. ere> Lenins reproa!+ to li*erals is !r(!ial: the' onl' :PL6I" the working classes0 $iscontent tostrengthen their position visavis the conservatives5 instea$ of i$entif'ing with it to the en$.52 Is t+is also not t+e !ase)it+ to%ays Left li*eralsG $+ey like to evoke ra!ism> e!olo"y> )orkers "rievan!es> et!.> to s!ore points over t+e!onservatives I$E$ N,NRIN $ ''$D. Re!all +o)> in 'eattle> #ill Clinton +imself %eftly referre% tot+e protesters on t+e streets o(tsi%e> remin%in" t+e "at+ere% lea%ers insi%e t+e "(ar%e% pala!es t+at t+ey s+o(l% listen to t+emessa"e of t+e %emonstrators ?t+e messa"e )+i!+> of !o(rse> Clinton interprete%> %eprivin" it of its s(*versive stin"attri*(te% to t+e %an"ero(s etremists intro%(!in" !+aos an% violen!e into t+e maHority of pea!ef(l protesters@. Its t+e same)it+ all Ne) 'o!ial Dovements> (p to t+e apatistas in C+iapas: t+e systemi! politi!s is al)ays rea%y to F listen to their$eman$s5 $epriving them of their proper political sting) "he s'stem is b' $efinition ecumenical5 open5 tolerant5 rea$'to listen to all ; even if one insist on ones %eman%s> t+ey are %eprive% of t+eir (niversal politi!al stin" *y t+e very form ofne"otiation. $+e tr(e $+ir% ay )e +ave to look for is t+is t+ir% )ay *et)een t+e instit(tionali6e% parliamentary politi!s an%t+e ne) so!ial movements. $+e (ltimate ans)er to t+e reproa!+ t+at t+e ra%i!al Left proposals are (topian s+o(l% t+(s *et+at> to%ay> t+e tr(e (topia is t+e *elief t+at t+e present li*eral;%emo!rati! !apitalist !onsens(s !o(l% "o on in%efinitely>)it+o(t ra%i!al !+an"es. e are t+(s *a!k at t+e ol% &8 motto F'oyons realistes> %eman%ons limpossi*lePF: in or%er to *etr(ly a Frealist>F one m(st !onsi%er *reakin" o(t of t+e !onstraints of )+at appears Fpossi*leF ?or> as )e (s(ally o(t it>Ffeasi*leF@.

http://www.lacan.com/replenin.htmhttp://www.lacan.com/replenin.htm


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Reform Link

"he affirmative#s reform serves to maintain our current capitalist lifest'les at the $etriment of theenvironment B technological solutions onl' increase the scale of capital an$ worsen environmental$estruction)

*ohn Foster Professor of +ociolog' in 2..7 ?o+n #ellamy> 7rofessor of 'o!iolo"y at Eniversity of re"on> $+e!olo"y of estr(!tion> Be* 200-> +ttp://))).mont+lyrevie).or"/020-H*f.+tm @ A(

;ost climate scientists5 inclu$ing Lovelo!k an% ansen> follow the IPCC in basing their main pro=ections of globalwarming on a socioecnomic scenario $escribe$ as %business as usual)& "he $ire tren$s in$icate$ are pre$icate$ on ourfun$amental economic an$ technological $evelopments an$ our basic relation to nature remaining the same. $+e=(estion )e nee% to ask t+en is )+at a!t(ally is *(siness as (s(alG +at !an *e !+an"e% an% +o) fastG it+ time r(nnin" o(tt+e impli!ation is t+at it is ne!essary to alter *(siness as (s(al in ra%i!al )ays in or%er to stave off or lessen !atastrop+e. et>the $ominant solutions Ot+ose asso!iate% )it+ t+e %ominant i%eolo"y> i.e.> t+e i%eolo"y of t+e %ominant !lassO emphasi(eminimal changes in business as usual that will somehow get us off the hook) After being $irecte$ to the growingplanetar' threats of global warming an$ species e "reen re"(lations> an% ne) "reen te!+nolo"ies> even t+e "reenin" of!apitalism itself. Futurists $escribe a new technological worl$ in which the weight of nations on the earth ismiraculousl' lifte$ as a result of $igital %$emateriali(ation& of the econom'. In all of t+ese vie)s> +o)ever> t+ere is one!onstant: t+e f(n%amental !+ara!ter of *(siness as (s(al is +ar%ly !+an"e% at all. In$ee$5 what all such anal'sesintentionall' avoi$ is the fact that business as usual in our societ' in an' fun$amental sense means the capitalisteconom'Dan econom' run on the logic of profit an$ accumulation) ;oreover5 there is little acknowle$gement or evenappreciation of the fact that the ?obbesian war of all against all that characteri(es capitalism reuires for itsfulfillment a universal war on nature. In t+is sense new technolog' cannot solve the problem since it is inevitabl' use$to further the class war an$ to increase the scale of the econom'5 an$ thus the $egra$ation of the environment)+enever pro%(!tion %ies %o)n or so!ial resistan!e imposes *arriers on t+e epansion of !apital t+e ans)er is al)ays to fin%ne) )ays to eploit/%e"ra%e nat(re more intensively. $o =(ote 7onte!orvos #(rnP> Mt+at is t+e lo"i! of profit....ne *(il%s to

make money an% to "o on makin" it or to make more sometimes it is ne!essary to %estroy.

http://www.monthlyreview.org/0207jbf.htmhttp://www.monthlyreview.org/0207jbf.htm


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Capitalism Kritik Page 1. of 77

Reform Link

3orking within the capitalist s'stem fails to un$erstan$ capitalism#s role in environmental$estruction) "he affirmative#s ecological restructuring onl' creates more $egra$ation)Eeorge Lio$akis Professor of +ocial +cience in 2..1 ?eor"e> 7rofessor of 'o!ial '!ien!e at $e!+ni!alEniversity of Crete> $+e people;nat(re relation an% t+e +istori!al si"nifi!an!e of t+e La*o(r $+eory of Sal(e> Capital an%Class> 'prin" 2001> +ttp://fin%arti!les.!om/p/arti!les/miT=a3-80/isT200104/aiTn8940388@ A(

"he overall attempt to respon$ to the e en+an!e% *y t+e !ompetitive !ontra%i!tionof !apital an% t+e !ontra%i!tory !+ara!ter of state re"(lation ?see Lio%akis> 2000@. ,s Dar +as stresse%> VaW 11 t+o("+t of a!ommon> allem*ra!in" an% farsi"+te% !ontrol of t+e pro%(!tion an% !ons(mption of ra) materials (n%er !apitalism is nomore t+an a Upio(s )is+> flatly Uirre!on!ila*le )it+ t+e la)s of !apitalist pro%(!tion ?19&- III: 118;20@. It s+o(l% *e note%t+o("+> t+at capitalism0s onl' absolute limit is e of eploita*le la*o(r po)er@> an% t+at

the restructuring of capitalism can potentiall' ameliorate or postpone the crisis5 ensuring thus5 for a certain time span5the repro$uction of the s'stem ?see oo%man an% Re%!lift> 1991: 254@. iven t+e la) of !onservation of matter an% ener"y>+o)ever> t+ere are more proimate> *ot+ =(antitative an% =(alitative> limits )+i!+ p(t t+e s(staina*ility of !apitalism (n%er=(estion ?see . Connor> 1988 #enton> 1989 D. Connor> 1994 Boster> 1995*> 199-@. All attempts at ecologicalrestructuring basicall' concern the restructuring of propert' relations5 t+ro("+ t+e market> t+e rearran"ement of !ompetitive!on%itions> an% t+e rationalisation of !apitalist a!!(m(lation> )it+o(t essentially affe!tin" t+e impa!t of !apitalist rationality an% private property on nat(re.$+e key t+in" for !apitalism> +o)ever> is not t+e H(ri%i!al form of private property> *(t rat+er t+e so!ial separation of la*o(r po)er from nat(ral !on%itionsan% t+e (se of t+e latter as !on%itions of !apital a!!(m(lation. In%epen%ently of any restr(!t(rin" of !apital an% property relations> or of any limite% attemptat a val(ation of nat(re> as lon" as t+e property of !apital as a )+ole on nat(re is maintaine%> t+e s=(an%erin" of nat(re an% environmental %estr(!tion !annot

*e prevente%. In ot+er )or%s> it is impossible to ensure the sustainabilit' of capitalism an$5 within its limits5 an essentialreconciliation of people with nature. n t+e !ontrary> the currentl' propose$ further commo$itisation of nature an$privatisation of natural resources ?see as"(pta> 1990 C+i!+ilnisky> 1994@> will most likel' lea$ to an aggravation of theproblem ?see Lio%akis> 1995>2000@. Capitalist restr(!t(rin" implies a !ertain mo%ifi!ation of t+e la) of val(e an% not a =(alitative !onversion or a ra%i!al(psettin" of t+e la) itself. $+is mo%ifi!ation %erives spe!ifi!ally from t+e in!reasin" internationalisation of pro%(!tion> t+e !+an"es in state re"(lation> t+e

in!reasin" eternalities an% t+e e!olo"i!al restr(!t(rin" to)ar%s internalisin" t+ese eternalities> as )ell as from t+e !ontin(o(s !on!entration of !apital>)+i!+ implies a "reater %iver"en!e of pri!es from !ommo%ity val(es in *ran!+es )it+ a prono(n!e% monopolisti! !+ara!ter. In ot+er )or%s> t+ismo%ifi!ation !on!erns t+e spe!ifi! manner in )+i!+ t+e la) of val(e operates (n%er !ontemporary !on%itions. Insofar as natural resources aretaken as a Mfree gift of nature 5 competition lea$s to a permanent ten$enc' to increase constant capital> as a!rystallisation of alienate% la*o(r an% nat(ral reso(r!es t+ro("+ t+e la*o(r pro!ess> an% !onse=(ently to a risin" or"ani!!omposition of !apital. "his ten$enc'5 which also serves the nee$s of capital in increasing the pro$uctive power oflabour an$ $isciplining it in the conte


11/77


Reform Link

Capitalism views nature as a gift of natural resources5 necessitating e !ontrary to )+at is often ar"(e%> is not ne!essary> at least in its spe!ifi! +istori!al !ontet. ,s I +ave s+o)n> theproblem is not the ;ar )+ile val(e> on t+e ot+er +an%> as t+e +istori!ally spe!ifi! an% %ominant refle!tion ofe!onomi! !al!(lation in !apitalism> is o*He!tively %etermine% *y t+e =(antity of ne!essary a*stra!t la*o(r> %isre"ar%in" t+es(*stantial !ontri*(tion of nat(re in pro%(!tion. it +as also *een s+o)n t+at t+e a*olition of private property in t+e means of

pro%(!tion an% of t+e la) of val(e in !omm(nism implies a %iale!ti!al re!on!iliation of people )it+ nat(re at a +i"+er level.,s e!onomi! s!ar!ity !annot *e totally eliminate%> t+e e!olo"i!al !ompati*ility of !omm(nism re=(ires> apart from t+ene!essary minimisation of la*o(r;time> an in%epen%ent a!!o(ntin" for nat(ral reso(r!es. :nvironmental $egra$ation hasoften been attribute$> in t+e !ontet of t+e !(rrent environmentalism> to the character of technolog' an$ of the $ominant

ethical values) A plea is also ma$e for an alternative ?e!olo"i!al@ technolog' an$ new ecological ethics) "his approach5however5 captures onl' part of the realit' an% in%ee% only t+e s(rfa!e of p+enomena> )+ile in fa!t neither technolog' norethics can be consi$ere$ in$epen$ent from the $ominant capitalist relations of pro$uction)n t+e ot+er +an%> if t+eeperien!e of environmental %estr(!tion s+o(l% stim(late f(rt+er %evelopment of Darist t+eory> t+is s+o(l% *e in t+e%ire!tion of a more spe!ifi! =(alitative an% !lass analysis of t+e pro%(!tive for!es> of s!ien!e an% te!+nolo"y. ,s a!!(m(late%eperien!e s+o)s> t+e !+ara!ter of t+ese fa!tors is not ne!essarily eman!ipatory> an% t+eir =(antitative "ro)t+ alone )ill nota(tomati!ally lea% to t+e !omm(nisti! Urealm of free%om. 3hat is more specificall' reuire$5 from within thecontemporar' capitalist conte


12/77


Reform Link

"he affirmative#s small reforms will fail) Capitalism thrives on a neveren$ing uest for growth Benvironmental reforms an$ increase$ efficienc' are use$ to promote evermore growingconsumption5 making ecological catastrophe inevitable)

"ownsen$ ;anaging :$itor 2.. ?$erry> mana"in" e%itor> In%ivi%(al Sers(s 'o!ial 'ol(tions to lo*al armin"@3e have to convince millions of people an$ buil$ a mass movement for emissionre$uctions that genuinel' a$$ress thereal problem. Bor ,(stralia> t+ats at least 90Y *y 2030 O not La*ors anaemi! &0Y *y 2050. , movement t+at %eman%s t+at "overnments impose far;rea!+in" meas(res t+at for!e "iant in%(strial poll(ters to rapi%ly an% massively slas+ t+eir emissions> at t+e risk of massive fines. ,n% if t+ey ref(se> t+eys+o(l% *e nationali6e% an% r(n in t+e interests of t+e )orkers an% !ons(mers. ,ll p(*li! s(*si%ies an% ta !on!essions for t+e "iant fossil f(el in%(stries an%reso(r!e !orporations O )+i!+ amo(nt to *illions O s+o(l% *e re%ire!te% to resear!+ t+e %evelopment of p(*li!ly o)ne% rene)a*le ener"y so(r!es. e!o(l% +elp or%inary people implement in%ivi%(al a!tions> *y s(pplyin" free or at a massive s(*si%y to all +o(se+ol%s solar )aters +eaters an% )ater tanks.$here shoul$ be a massive reorgani(ation of societ' to move awa' from privatecarbase$ transportation to free an%fre=(ent mass p(*li! transport> an%> re%esi"n o(r !ities to p(t peoples +omes !lose to )ork an% s+ops. e nee% to t+ink a*o(t )ays of linkin" t+ese )i%er%eman%s )it+ o(r more imme%iate !ampai"ns> for eample as )e fi"+t to stop t+e $asmanian p(lp mill> oppose po)er privati6ation> en% !oal an% (rani(mminin"> an% to stop t+e *(il%in" of ne) free)ays an% toll roa%s> )e +ave to also !onvin!e people t+at t+e )orkin"s of !apitalism itself is *ot+ responsi*le for t+e !risis an% also t+e main o*sta!le to its sol(tion. $+e real so(r!e of t+e pro*lem "hrough struggles for imme$iate an$ broa$er$eman$s5 masses of people can come to un$erstan$ that the source of the problem lies with capitalism itself) $+es!ientifi! analysis of !apitalism first ma%e *y Karl Dar an% Brie%ri!+ n"els> ill(strates +o)> $espite the assertions of

man' environmental movement theorists over the 'ears5 ;ar s(!+ spen%in" is no) )ell in e!ess of Z12 *illion a year. Dany in t+e environmentalmovement ar"(e t+at )it+ t+e ri"+t mi of taes> in!entives an% re"(lations> every*o%y !o(l% *e )inners. #i" *(siness )o(l% +ave !+eaper> more effi!ient

pro%(!tion te!+ni=(es> an% t+erefore *e more profita*le> an% !ons(mers )o(l% +ave more environment;frien%ly pro%(!ts an% ener"y so(r!es. In a rationalso!iety> s(!+ innovations )o(l% lo)er t+e overall environmental impa!t of pro%(!tion. Enfort(nately> )e %ont live in a rational so!iety. An' energ'an$ mone' savings ma$e through efficienc' are use$ to make an$ sell more commo$ities5 cheaper than theircompetitors. Capitalism approa!+es te!+nolo"y O in t+e pro%(!tion pro!ess or in t+e final pro%(!t O in t+e same )ay as it %oes everyt+in" else. +at)ill "enerate t+e most profitsG +et+er it is effi!ient> !lean> safe> environmentally *eni"n or rational +as little to %o )it+ it. $+e te!+nolo"ies t+at !o(l%ta!kle "lo*al )armin" +ave lon" eiste%. ven t+o("+ resear!+ into t+em +as *een massively (n%erf(n%e%> rene)a*le ener"y so(r!es are to%ay !ompetitive)it+ !oal an% n(!lear po)er ?if t+e ne"ative so!ial an% environmental !osts are fa!tore% in@. 7(*li! transport systems +ave *een aro(n% sin!e t+e late 1800s.Fun$amental to capitalism#s $evelopment has been its power to shift the cost of its ecological an$ social van$alismonto societ' as whole. Dore profits !an a!!r(e if t+e *i" !apitalists %ont +ave to *ot+er t+emselves )it+ t+e elimination>ne(trali6ation or re!y!lin" of in%(strial )astes. Its m(!+ !+eaper to po(r toi! )aste into t+e air or t+e nearest river. 8atherthan pa' for the real costs of pro$uction5 societ' as a whole subsi$i(es corporate profitmaking b' cleaning up some of

the mess or suffering the environmental an$Nor health costs) 6r the whole mess' business can simpl' be e


13/77


Ecology Link

:colog' is the new opium for the masses B fear of massive catastrophe allows the hegemonici$eolog' of capital to sustain itself an$ short circuit attempts to break the s'stem)i(ek Professor of Philosoph' in 2..7 ?'lavoH> professor of p+ilosop+y at t+e Instit(te for 'o!iolo"y> LH(*lHana>Censors+ip $o%ay: Siolen!e> or !olo"y as a Ne) pi(m for t+e Dasses> +ttp://))).la!an.!om/6i6e!olo"y1.+tm @ A(

No )on%er> t+en> t+at the b' far pre$ominant version of ecolog' is the ecolog' of fear5 fear of a catastrophe humanma$e or natural that ma' $eepl' perturb5 $estro' even5 the human civili(ation> fear t+at p(s+es (s to plan meas(rest+at )o(l% prote!t o(r safety. "his ecolog' of fear has all the chances of $eveloping into the pre$ominant form ofi$eolog' of global capitalism5 a new opium for the masses repla!in" t+e %e!linin" reli"ion: it takes over t+e ol% reli"ionsf(n%amental f(n!tion> t+at of p(ttin" on an (n=(estiona*le a(t+ority )+i!+ !an impose limits. "he lesson this ecolog' isconstantl' hammering is our finitu$e: )e are not Cartesian s(*He!ts etra!te% from reality> )e are finite *ein"s em*e%%e%in a *io;sp+ere )+i!+ vastly trans"resses o(r +ori6on. In o(r eploitation of nat(ral reso(r!es> )e are *orro)in" from t+ef(t(re> so one s+o(l% treat o(r art+ )it+ respe!t> as somet+in" (ltimately 'a!re%> somet+in" t+at s+o(l% not *e (nveile%totally> t+at s+o(l% an% )ill forever remain a Dystery> a po)er )e s+o(l% tr(st> not %ominate. +ile )e !annot "ain f(llmastery over o(r *io;sp+ere> it is (nfort(nately in o(r po)er to %erail it> to %ist(r* its *alan!e so t+at it )ill r(n amok>s)ipin" (s a)ay in t+e pro!ess. "his is wh'5 although ecologists are all the time $eman$ing that we change ra$icall' ourwa' of life5 un$erl'ing this $eman$ is its opposite5 a $eep $istrust of change5 of $evelopment5 of progress! ever'

ra$ical change can have the uninten$e$ conseuence of triggering a catastrophe) It is this $istrust which makesecolog' the i$eal can$i$ate for hegemonic i$eolog'> sin!e it e!+oes t+e anti;totalitarian post;politi!al %istr(st of lar"e!olle!tive a!ts. $+is %istr(st (nites reli"io(s lea%ers an% environmentalists ; for *ot+> t+ere is somet+in" of a trans"ression> of enterin" a pro+i*ite% %omain> in t+is i%ea of !reatin" a ne) form of life from s!rat!+> from t+e 6ero;point. ,n% t+is *rin"s (s

*a!k to t+e notion of e!olo"y as t+e ne) opi(m for t+e masses t+e (n%erlyin" messa"e is a"ain a %eeply !onservative one ;any !+an"e !an only *e t+e !+an"e for t+e )orst ; +ere is a ni!e =(ote from t+e $ID ma"a6ine on t+is topi!: #e+in% m(!+of t+e resistan!e to t+e notion of synt+eti! life is t+e int(ition t+at nat(re ?or o%@ !reate% t+e *est of possi*le )orl%s. C+arlesar)in *elieve% t+at t+e myria% %esi"ns of nat(res !reations are perfe!tly +one% to %o )+atever t+ey are meant to %o ; *e itanimals t+at see> +ear> sin"> s)im or fly> or plants t+at fee% on t+e s(ns rays> e(%in" *ri"+t floral !olo(rs to attra!t

pollinators. $+is referen!e to ar)in is %eeply mislea%in": t+e (ltimate lesson of ar)inism is t+e ea!t opposite> namelyt+at nat(re tinkers an% improvises> )it+ "reat losses an% !atastrop+es a!!ompanyin" every limite% s(!!ess ; is t+e fa!t t+at 90

per!ent of t+e +(man "enome is H(nk N, )it+ no !lear f(n!tion not t+e (ltimate proof of itG Conse=(ently> t+e first lessonto *e %ra)n is t+e one repeate%ly ma%e *y 'tep+en ay o(l%: t+e (tter !ontin"en!y of o(r eisten!e. "here is no :volution!

catastrophes5 broken euilibriums5 are part of natural histor'@ at numerous points in the past5 life coul$ have turne$into an entirel' $ifferent $irection) "he main source of our energ' ?oil@ is the result of a past catastrophe ofunimaginable $imensions. ne s+o(l% t+(s learn to a!!ept t+e (tter "ro(n%lessness of o(r eisten!e: t+ere is no firmfo(n%ation> a pla!e of retreat> on )+i!+ one !an safely !o(nt. ature $oesn0t e *r(tally t+ro)in" off t+erails its !ir!(lar motion> is mans fantasy nat(re is alrea%y in itself Fse!on% nat(re>F its *alan!e is al)ays se!on%ary> anattempt to ne"otiate a F+a*itF t+at )o(l% restore some or%er after !atastrop+i! interr(ptions. 3ith regar$ to this inherentinstabilit' of nature5 the most conseuent was the proposal of a Eerman ecological scientist back in 17.s! sincenature is changing constantl' an$ the con$itions on :arth will ren$er the survival of humanit' impossible in a coupleof centuries5 the collective goal of humanit' shoul$ be not to a$apt itself to nature5 but to intervene into the :arthecolog' even more forcefull' with the aim to free(e the :arth0s change5 so that its ecolog' will remain basicall' thesame5 thus enabling humanit'0s survival) "his e


14/77

Capitalism Kritik Page 1/ of 77

Biomimicry

Alternative energ' is becoming a new $river for capitalism) It#s a wa' to fill the gap left b'$epleting fossil fuel reserves);atthew i5 Chronicle +acramento 4ureau +atur$a'5 ovember /5 2.0& ,lternative ener"y li"+tin" it (p #i" vent(re!apitalists pony (p in si66lin" market t+at may "et *oost from 7rop. 8- +ttp://))).sf!+roni!lemarketpla!e.!om/!"i;

*in/arti!le.!"iGfJ/!/a/200&/11/04/#E0-D5'481.$L

In t+e +eart of 'ili!on Salley> avi% 7ear!es start(p Diasole is in a ma% %as+ to fi"(re o(t a more !ost;effe!tive )ay toman(fa!t(re solar !ells. 'o far> +es *een "ettin" +elp from *i" investors in!l(%in" vent(re !apital firm Kleiner 7erkinsCa(fiel% #yers> )+ose portfolio of s(!!ess stories in!l(%es oo"le an% '(n Di!rosystems. #(t fle%"lin" 'ili!on Salleyfirms like ;iasole that are tr'ing to make breakthroughs in pro$ucing energ' from alternative sources like the sun5corn or even biowaste> may en% (p fin%in" a *i""er *oost if California voters approve 7roposition 8- on $(es%ay. $+estate)i%e *allot initiative seeks to raise Z4 *illion *y tain" oil pro%(!tion in California an% (sin" t+e f(n%s for resear!+ an%%evelopment> pro%(!tion an% %istri*(tion of alternative f(els. "he ultimate goal is to slash California0s petroleumconsumption b' 2 percent b' 2.17. Companies like Diasole )ont *e t+e only potential *enefi!iary if t+e meas(re passes."he new public mone' woul$ continue to fuel what has been a surprising increase in venture capital investments incompanies that are looking for commerciall' viable alternative fuels an$ energ'. $+e tren% is !a(sin" some in%(stry an%finan!ial analysts to liken vent(re !apital flo)in" into F!lean te!+F to t+e Internet *(**le. Feve +a% ei"+t !onse!(tive

=(arters of si"nifi!ant "ro)t+ in !lean te!+ ?vent(re !apital@ f(n%in">F sai% o+n #al*a!+> senior !ons(ltant for Cleante!+Sent(re Net)ork LLC> )+i!+ tra!ks investment %ollars in t+at area. In t+e se!on% =(arter of t+is year> Z843 million )as

po(re% into !lean te!+> a &4 per!ent in!rease from t+e first =(arter an% 129 per!ent in!rease from t+e same perio% last year> +esai%. $+e o) ones Sent(rene an% rnst o(n"> )+i!+ +as a more fo!(se% Falternative ener"y pro%(!tionF !ate"ory>also +as seen a si"nifi!ant (pti!k in vent(re !apital a!tivity in t+at "ro(p: 31 %eals )ort+ a total of Z380 million in t+e firstnine mont+s of t+is year. In all of 2005> t+ere )ere 18 investments )ort+ a total of Z1-8 million. F"here are some whobelieve there is a bubble sense to it ))) but we think this is the beginnings of a longterm tren$5 4albach sai$) 3ebelieve this is one of the biggest economic $rivers of the 21st centur') Anal'sts sa' there are at least two ma=orreasons investors are looking at alternative fuels) First5 venture capitalists who have become gunsh' after the Internetbubble burst are now itching to get back into action5 an$ secon$5 oil prices are sk'rocketing. Investor interest is also

*ein" f(ele% *y "overnment man%ates s(!+ as ov. ,rnol% '!+)ar6ene""ers solar roof initiative t+at +as a "oal of !reatin"3>000 me"a)atts of ne)> solar;pro%(!e% ele!tri!ity *y 201-. "his is all a recent phenomenon5 Pearce sai$5 a$$ing thatraising investment mone' =ust two 'ears ago was notabl' tougher than it has been in the past 'ear) ow5 he has eight

venture capital firms backing his compan'5 which uses thin sheets of stainless steel to manufacture lightweight an$fle 'an Carlos: , re!ently forme%!ompany t+at reporte%ly is )orkin" on makin" *iof(els !ommer!ially via*le. 'everal !alls )ere ma%e to K+osla re=(estin"an intervie)> *(t none )as ret(rne%. K+osla +as *een tr(mpetin" t+e virt(es of et+anol as a via*le repla!ement for petrole(min !onferen!es an% arti!les t+at +es )ritten re!ently. FI believe we can replace most of our gasoline nee$s in 2 'ears withbiomass from our farmlan$s an$ municipal waste5 while creating a huge economic boom c'cle an$ a cheaper5 cleanerfuel for consumers>F +e )rote in a ire% ma"a6ine arti!le. illiam Rei!+ert> mana"in" %ire!tor of ara"e $e!+nolo"ySent(res in 7alo ,lto> sai% t+at )+ile its !lear K+osla is fo!(sin" on et+anol> +e is also sprea%in" +is *ets )it+in t+at se!tor.FI +appen to a"ree )it+ +im t+at et+anol +as t+e *est promise to repla!e ?"asoline@ f(el over t+e net t)o %e!a%es>F Rei!+ertsai%. o)ever> +e sai%> +e t+inks t+e real *reakt+ro("+s )ill +ave to !ome from makin" et+anol from somet+in" ot+er t+an!orn. FBrom my point of vie)> !orn;*ase% et+anol is a s+ort;term opport(nity> *(t a lon";term %ea% en%>F Rei!+ert sai%.

http://www.sfchroniclemarketplace.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/04/BUG07M5S481.DTLhttp://www.sfchroniclemarketplace.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/04/BUG07M5S481.DTLhttp://www.sfchroniclemarketplace.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/04/BUG07M5S481.DTLhttp://www.sfchroniclemarketplace.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/04/BUG07M5S481.DTL


15/77


FCorn is a *a% so(r!e of s("ar> an% fermentation is only effe!tive if yo( +ave "oo% s("ar. It H(st +appens t+at !orn +as *een as(rpl(s !rop.F 7er+aps t+ats )+y K+osla is *ein" smart a*o(t sprea%in" +is *ets> Rei!+ert sai%. Fes investin" every)+ere inet+anol ri"+t no)>F +e sai%.

Note: #iomimi!ry ?from *ios> meanin" life> an% mimesis> meanin" to imitate@ is a relatively ne) s!ien!e t+at st(%ies nat(re>its mo%els> systems> pro!esses an% elements an% t+en imitates or takes !reative inspiration from t+em to solve +(man

pro*lems s(staina*ly


16/77


Emissions Trading Link

"he affirmative is literall' selling a license to pollute) Clever manipulations of the market b'companies allow them to continue their $estructive activities while promoting a mask of reform)?ei$i 4achram *, 2../ ?ei%i> Climate Bra(% an% Car*on Colonialism: $+e Ne) $ra%e in reen+o(se ases@ A(

"o un$erstan$ the impact of %pollution permits& an$ %emissions tra$ing&1 on the ecological crisis5 the fin$ings of theinternational scientific communit' must be note$. $+e Inter"overnmental 7anel on Climate C+an"e ?I7CC@> a ENa%visory *o%y n(m*erin" 3>000 s!ientists> !on!l(%e% in 2001 t+at Mt+e present C2 !on!entration +as not *een e!ee%e%%(rin" t+e past 420>000 years an% likely not %(rin" t+e past 20 million years.2 "he clear an$ alarming consensus in thescientific communit' is that humankin$ is wreaking havoc on the atmosphere) Across the worl$ . million people areat severe risk of their homes an$ livelihoo$s being $estro'e$ b' flash floo$ing as sea levels rise5 fe$ b' melting icecaps5an$ e )it+ only 10 per!ent of t+e )orl%s pop(lation> are responsi*le for pro%(!in" 45 per!ent of all emissions of!ar*on %ioi%e ?C2@> t+e prin!iple "reen+o(se "as.3 $+ree;=(arters of all t+e C2 emitte% *y +(man a!tivities is from

*(rnin" fossil f(els.4 $+e rest mostly !omes from %eforestation. $+e I7CC !on!l(%es t+at an imme%iate re%(!tion of 50

t+ey state t+at Mevent(ally C2 emissions )o(l% nee% to %e!line to a very small fra!tion of !(rrent emissions. Face$ withthis looming climate crisis5 the global communit' of states response has been passage of the K'oto Protocol in 199->slo)ly ratifie% *y 15& !o(ntries> an% infamo(sly reHe!te% *y t+e )orl%s *i""est poll(ter < t+e E'. ,t t+e !ore of t+e 7roto!olis an a"reement to re%(!e emissions *y an avera"e of 5.2 per!ent *elo) 1990 levels of "reen+o(se "ases *y t+e year 2012.5Larry Lo+mann vivi%ly s(ms (p t+e ina%e=(a!y: +hortl' after the treat' was initiale$ in 175 a scientific =ournalpointe$ out that 9. K'otos woul$ be nee$e$ =ust to stabili(e atmospheric concentrations at twice the level the' stoo$at> at t+e time of t+e In%(strial Revol(tion. ,t t+is rate> 300 years of ne"otiations )o(l% *e re=(ire% H(st to se!(re t+e!ommitments ne!essary *y t+e en% of t+is %e!a%e.& Also agree$ upon in 17 was the main mechanism for achieving thistarget5 table$ b' the -+ in response to heav' corporate lobb'ing! emissions tra$ing) "his market $riven mechanismsub=ects the planet#s atmosphere to the legal emission of greenhouse gases) "he arrangement parcels up theatmosphere an$ establishes the routini(e$ bu'ing an$ selling of %permits to pollute& as though the' were like an'other international commo$it'. $+e (t!+ instit(te RISD estimate t+at )it+ emissions tra%in" t+e a!t(al re%(!tionsa!+ieve% (n%er Kyoto )ill only *e 0.1 per!ent far *elo) t+e alrea%y ina%e=(ate 5.2 per!ent re%(!tion from 1990 levels.- In

a%%ition> as )e s+all s+o)> emissions tra%in" is rife )it+ !ontroversy an% t+e potential for ea!er*atin" environmental an%so!ial inH(sti!e. $+e !+an"es ne!essary to avert !limate !atastrop+e are simple eno("+> namely> a s)it!+ a)ay from fossilf(els an% to rene)a*le ener"y like solar an% )in%> alon" )it+ a re%(!tion in ener"y (se "enerally. Instea$5 worl$ lea$ershave taken ten 'ears to agree to ina$euate targets an$ the $eepl' flawe$ mechanism of emissions tra$ing) Althoughemissions tra$ing is represente$ as part of the solution5 it is actuall' a part of the problem itself)espite t+e s!ope an%"ravity of t+e %an"ers pose% *y "reen+o(se "ases> an% t+e maHor role of emissions tra%in" in !ompo(n%in" t+em> t+isarran"ement +as not *een serio(sly !+allen"e% in any international for(m. "he continuing acuiescence towar$ emissionstra$ing is not an acci$ent or bureaucratic oversight. $+e smoot+ sailin" of t+is arran"ement is attri*(ta*le to t+e arm;t)istin" ta!ti!s of t+e ri!+er nations an% t+eir !onstit(en!ies of !orporate poll(ters )+enever "lo*al treaties are +ammere%o(t. $+e fail(re of t+e Kyoto 7roto!ol to %eal a%e=(ately an% effe!tively )it+ !limate !+an"e is also representative of )i%eriss(es of %emo!rati! %e!isionmakin" an% symptomati! of t+e inH(sti!es t+at permeate international relations+ips *et)een

peoples. 2. +at is missions $ra%in"G En%er t+e Kyoto 7roto!ol t+e %polluters& are countries that have agree$ to targetsfor re$ucing their emissions of gases in a pre$efine$ time perio$) "he polluters are then given a number of %emissions

cre$its& euivalent to their 1. levels of emissions minus their re$uction commitment. $+ese !re%its are meas(re% in(nits of "reen+o(se "ases> so one ton of C2 )o(l% e=(al one !re%it. $+e !re%its are li!enses to poll(te (p to t+e limits set *yt+e !ommitment to a!+ieve t+e avera"e re%(!tion of 5.2 per!ent a"ree% in Kyoto. $+e !o(ntries t+en allo!ate t+eir =(ota of!re%its on a nation;)i%e *asis> most !ommonly *y M"ran%fat+erin"> so t+at t+e most poll(tin" in%(stries )ill re!eive t+e

*i""est allo!ation of !re%its.8 In t+is system it pays to poll(te. 'everal possi*ilities t+en eist: 1. $+e poll(ter %oes not (se its)+ole allo)an!e an% !an eit+er save t+e remainin" !re%its for t+e net time perio% ?*ank t+em@> or sell t+e !re%its to anot+er

poll(ter on t+e open market. 2. $+e polluter uses up its whole allowance in the allotte$ time perio$5 but still pollutesmore) In or$er to remain in compliance5 spare cre$its must be bought from another polluter that has not use$ up itsfull allowance. 3. $+e poll(ter !an invest in poll(tion re%(!tion s!+emes in ot+er !o(ntries or re"ions an% in t+is )ay Mearn!re%its t+at !an t+en *e sol%> or *anke%> or (se% to make (p s+ortfalls in its ori"inal allo)an!e. Cre%it;earnin" proHe!ts t+attake pla!e in a !o(ntry )it+ no re%(!tion tar"et ?mostly in t+e M%evelopin" )orl%@ !ome (n%er t+e !ontentio(s r(*ri! of t+eMClean evelopment De!+anism ?CD@. $+ere +ave alrea%y *een si"ns t+at tra%itional verseas evelopment ,i% ?,@"iven *y %evelope% !o(ntries )ill *e (se% to f(n% CD proHe!ts. Instea% of *(il%in" )ells> ri!+ !o(ntries !an no) plant trees


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to Moffset t+eir o)n poll(tion. 7roHe!ts )+i!+ take pla!e in !o(ntries )it+ re%(!tion tar"ets !ome (n%er oint Implementation?I@. Bor eample> an ener"y effi!ien!y pro"ram in 7olan% f(n%e% *y a EK !ompany !o(l% =(alify. It appears t+at I proHe!ts)ill mainly take pla!e in astern (rope an% R(ssia> )+ere e=(ivalent re%(!tions !an *e ma%e more !+eaply as !osts an%re"(latory stan%ar%s are lo)er. #ot+ CD an% I proHe!ts !an *e of %ifferent kin%s: mono!(lt(re tree plantations> )+i!+t+eoreti!ally a*sor* !ar*on from t+e atmosp+ere ?!ar*on sinks@ rene)a*le ener"y proHe!ts s(!+ as solar or )in% proHe!tsimprovements to eistin" ener"y "eneration an% so on. $+e amo(nt of !re%its earne% *y ea!+ proHe!t is !al!(late% as t+e%ifferen!e *et)een t+e level of emissions )it+ t+e proHe!t an% t+e level of emissions t+at )o(l% o!!(r in an ima"ine%alternative f(t(re )it+o(t t+e proHe!t. it+ s(!+ an ima"ine% alternative f(t(re in min%> a !orporate poll(ter !an !onH(re (p+("e estimates of t+e emissions t+at )o(l% *e s(ppose%ly pro%(!e% )it+o(t t+e !ompanys CD or I proHe!t. "hisstratagem allows for a high Galmost limitlessH number of pollution cre$its that can be earne$ for each pro=ect) It allowsthe compan' to pollute more at other sites5 to sell its cre$its to other polluters5 or to engage in a combination of theselucrative tactics. Its lon";term !onse=(en!es are ?1@ in!rease% "reen+o(se "as emissions an% ?2@ in!rease% !orporate profito*taine% from t+eir pro%(!tion. $+ere is yet anot+er provision in emissions tra%in" t+at intro%(!es in!reasin" levels of!ompleity an% !onf(sion: t+e poll(tants are inter!+an"ea*le. In effe!t> a re%(!tion in t+e emission of one "reen+o(se "as?e.".> !ar*on %ioi%e@ ena*les a poll(ter to !laim re%(!tions in anot+er "as ?e.".> met+ane@. $+(s> pro"ress in M!leanin" (pt+e atmosp+ere mi"+t appear to *e "oin" for)ar%> )+ile !loser s!r(tiny reveals t+at no a!t(al improvement is takin" pla!e. 3.Climate Bra(% +ile many +(n%re%s of millions of %ollars are *ein" investe% in settin" (p emissions tra%in" s!+emes all over t+e )orl% ?t+e EK "overnment alone +as spent EK [215 million on its trial tra%in" s!+eme@> virt(ally no reso(r!es are *ein"!+annele% into t+eir re"(lation. "his imbalance can onl' lea$ to an emissions market $angerousl' reliant upon theintegrit' of corporations to file accurate reports of emissions levels5 an$ re$uctions) In practice5 corporations such as

PricewaterhouseCoopers are acting as both accountants for an$ consultants to polluting firms5 an$ as verifiers ofemission re$uction pro=ects) 'ome entreprene(rial firms s(!+ as C2D ill an% ICB Cons(ltin" are also offerin"!ons(ltan!y an% *rokera"e as )ell as verifi!ation servi!es. "hese potential conflicts of interest were at the heart ofscan$als relating to :nron an$ Arthur An$ersen5 who were both pioneers in emissions tra$ing.


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:missions tra$ing helps the interests of large corporations an$ creates more pollution)?ei$i 4achram *, in 2../ ?ei%i> Climate Bra(% an% Car*on Colonialism: $+e Ne) $ra%e in reen+o(se ases@ A(

o)ever> there are man' problems with this approach) 6ffset schemes t'picall' $o not challenge the $estructive

consumption ethic5 which literall' $rives the fossil fuel econom') "hese initiatives provi$e %moral cover& forconsumers of fossil fuels) "he fun$amental changes that are urgentl' necessar'5 if we are to achieve a moresustainable future5 can then be i$eologicall' re$efine$ or $ismisse$ altogether as pipe $reams. B(rt+ermore> lan% is!omman%eere% in t+e 'o(t+ for lar"es!ale mono!(lt(re plantations )+i!+ a!t as an o!!(pyin" for!e in impoveris+e% r(ral!omm(nities %epen%ent on t+ese lan%s for s(rvival. $+e Kyoto 7roto!ol allo)s in%(striali6e% !o(ntries a!!ess to a par!el oflan% ro("+ly t+e si6e of one small 'o(t+ern nation < or (p)ar%s of 10 million +e!tares < every year for t+e "eneration ofCD !ar*on sink !re%its.1& Responsi*ility for over;!ons(mptive lifestyles of t+ose in ri!+er nations is p(s+e% onto t+e poor>as t+e 'o(t+ *e!omes a !ar*on %(mp for t+e in%(striali6e% )orl%.1- n a lo!al level> longstan$ing e )+i!+ !ontaminates rivers an% )ater so(r!es an% kills fis+. In some!ases> t+e )ater in streams an% rivers +as entirely %rie% (p *e!a(se t+e non;in%i"eno(s e(!alypt(s is a t+irsty tree. it+ t+e orl% #anks assistan!e> t+is

plantation )ill no) epan% *y 23>400 +e!tares. $+is is a %isaster for lo!al a"ri!(lt(re an% people %epen%ent on )ater so(r!es for s(*sisten!e. "heruination cause$ b' the trafficking in pollution cre$its serves onl' to place the cloak of ecological respectabilit' overlocal an$ global uneual power relations. &. Di"+t Dakes Ri"+t ne of t+e more tra"i! ironies of t+e Kyoto 7roto!ol ist+at Mcarbon sinks ?forests> o!eans> et!.@ can onl' ualif' for emission cre$its if the' are manage$ b' those with officialstatus) "his means that an ol$growth rainforest inhabite$ for thousan$s of 'ears b' in$igenous peoples $oes notualif' un$er K'oto rules as %manage$5& an$ cannot get cre$its) ?owever5 a monoculture plantation run b' the state

or a registere$ private compan' $oes ualif') "his e an emissions !re%it entitles its o)ner to %(mp a !ertain amo(nt of"reen+o(se "ases into t+e atmosp+ere. Control of s(!+ !re%its effe!tively lea%s to !ontrol of +o) t+e atmosp+ere> per+aps t+elast "lo*al !ommons> is (se%. "he K'oto Protocol negotiations has not onl' create$ a propert' rights regime for theatmosphere) It has also awar$e$ a controlling stake to the worl$#s worst polluters5 such as the :uropean -nion5 b'allocating cre$its base$ on historical emissions) A similar relationship applies to the process lea$ing to the agreement

of K'oto.


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:missions tra$ing is a wa' for corporations to reinforce current uneual power structures incapitalism while seeming to reform the s'stem)?ei$i 4achram *, 2../ ?ei%i> Climate Bra(% an% Car*on Colonialism: $+e Ne) $ra%e in reen+o(se ases@ A(

In the best case scenario that emissions tra$ing is strictl' regulate$5 it is still unlikel' to achieve even the woefull'ina$euate re$uctions in greenhouse gas emissions enshrine$ in the K'oto Protocol. $+is )o(l% *e tr(e even if t+e E'

Hoine% t+e rest of t+e maHor poll(tin" !o(ntries in ratifyin" t+e 7roto!ol. et s+o(l% a foolproof monitorin" system *e p(t in pla!e> t+e )+ole system )o(l% lose its appeal of *ein" !+eap an% (n!+allen"in" for !orporations> an% so any attempt tointro%(!e s(!+ met+o%s )ill *e stron"ly oppose%. B(rt+ermore> the neoliberal tren$s in international tra$e make itunlikel' that emissions markets will ever be tightl' regulate$) "he strateg' an$ tactics of emissions tra$ing have beena$orne$ with the rationale of neoliberal i$eolog'@ the' have become so institutionali(e$ in international forums thatregulator' initiatives are unlikel' to be propose$ from within their circles. et even if emissions tra%in" )ere a%e=(atelyre"(late%> the realit' is that the tra$ing in pollution best serves the nee$s of those with the most to lose from resolvingthe climate crisis. ,s !limate !+an"e eposes f(n%amental fla)s in t+e !(rrent )orl% or%er> only t+e most !+allen"in"responses )ill +ave any prospe!t of s(!!ess. "ransnational fossil fuel corporations an$ the governments of in$ustriali(e$countries will not conce$e power willingl') "hat is wh' emissions tra$ing is being use$ to $istract attention awa' fromthe changes that are urgentl' nee$e$. In t+is )ay corporations an$ government are able to buil$ the illusion of taking

action on climate change while reinforcing current uneual power structures) :missions tra$ing therefore becomes aninstrument b' means of which the current worl$ or$er5 built an$ foun$e$ on a histor' of colonialism5 wiel$s a newkin$ of %carbon colonialism. ,s )it+ t+e !olonialism of ol%> t+is ne) !oloni6in" for!e H(stifies its interferen!e t+ro("+moral r+etori!. As the coloni(ers seek to resolve climate change5 the' convenientl' %forget& the true source of theproblem) 3ith the looming climate crisis an$ the $esperate nee$ for action5 the resulting course recommen$e$ b'corporations an$ government is not anal'(e$ criticall') "he $ebate is transforme$5 shifting the blame onto the poormasses of the global +outh. Lost in t+is %is!o(rse is t+e reality t+at t+e )orl%s ri!+est minorities are t+e !(lprits )+o +aveover;!ons(me% t+e planet to t+e *rink of e!olo"i!al %isaster. Instea$ of re$ucing in the rich countries5 a carbon $ump iscreate$ in the poor countries) "hus rich countries can continu

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