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In his new book, What’s Left: Three Paths Through the Planetary Crisis, writer Malcom Harris examines what is probably our most pressing existential paradox: Both individually and as a society, we’re all so caught up in the struggle to survive under capitalism that we’ve become incapable of taking decisive action to reduce our reliance on carbon and ensure our collective survival. Fortunately, as Malcom sees it, our fate isn’t sealed just yet. What’s Left lays out, clearly and accessibly, what he sees as the three remaining options for saving the world.
Malcolm joins us to talk about those strategies — which he calls marketcraft, public power, and communism — and why solving the climate crisis requires people from across the left pursuing all three of them in tandem. We also explore why some of the political philosophies that have been floating around in the Democratic party of late — like the notion of “Abundance,” popularized by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson — won’t help, largely because of a failure to engage with class politics.
Finally, we zoom out to contemplate what political opposition even looks like in our increasingly inhospitable environment for free speech. Will the left remain fragmented between Boomers shouting “Hands off NATO” at public protests while college students get arrested for peacefully protesting the atrocities in Gaza? Or is a broader coalition possible?
Order What’s Left: Three Paths Through the Planetary Crisis
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Read more by Malcolm:
“What’s the matter with Abundance?” (The Baffler)
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