THE EMERGENCE OF ECOSOCIALISM
Collected Essays By Joel Kovel
Edited By Quincy Saul
The global warming that is changing our climate is already having dire consequences on Earth, and people are not only searching for ideas and solutions, they are pressuring their governments to act. As a result, a lot of great books are being published, which is why I am pleased to announce the publication of THE EMERGENCE OF ECOSOCIALISM, Collected Essays by Joel Kovel, edited by Quincy Saul. Joel Kovel, who passed away in 2018, was an author, activist, scholar and foundational ecotheorist.
Ecosocialism is a vision of a transformed society in harmony with nature, and the development of practices that can attain it. While the concept of ecosocialism goes as far back as the mid-nineteenth century, Kovel began developing his theory in the early 1990s. When Kovel co-authored “An Ecosocialist Manifesto” in 2001, he helped launch a global movement that has prompted dozens of books and hundreds of articles as global warming, climate change, pollution, and ecological balance have become a central concern throughout the world.
“Joel Kovel was a uniquely compelling voice for an ecosocialism that is inclusive, forward-looking, and profoundly ethical in character. He was among the first to restore a deep appreciation of the natural world to a Marxist tradition that had overlooked the ecological dimensions of Marx’s writings for much of the twentieth century. Kovel’s work was informed by his insights into philosophy, poetry, and human subjectivity, his commitment to radical democracy, as well as the rich traditions of political economy. THE EMERGENCE OF ECOSOCIALISM, which consists of Joel Kovel’s ecosocialist essays, commentaries and editorials, is infused with his intellectual rigor, generosity of spirit, and his wealth of important contributions to an emerging ecological left. It is essential and enlightening reading for all who wish for a progressive politics that is deeply infused with a holistic ecological sensibility.” — Brian Tokar, lecturer at the University of Vermont, and author of Toward Climate Justice (2010)
Editor Saul has compiled a collection that chronicles Kovel’s emergence of ecosocialism, its theory and practice, which includes undelivered speeches and unpublished essays, to classics from the Journal of Ecosocialism that Kovel edited. In THE EMERGENCE OF ECOSOCIALISM, Kovel suggests possible routes for the growth of ecosocialist consciousness by referring to a wealth of works written by notable authors and theorists, including Alfred Schmidt, Bertell Ollman, William Leiss, Richard Hofrichter, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Herbert Marcuse, James O’Connor, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels; while simultaneously referring to literary authors such as William Blake (his favorite poet), Herman Melville, and even the Bible to support his position. Because Kovel was highly respected in his field and an integral part of the movement and ecosocialist community, the book also includes several tributes as well. This is the first book of Kovel’s work published posthumously.
I love publishing books that tackle different ideas and theories that convey pertinent and meaningful information. In this day and age, we need more books like THE EMERGENCE OF ECOSOCIALISM because they open the doors for discussions and healthy debates. The irony here is that Kovel’s work, some written as far back as 1995 remain timely. Today, we are witnessing first hand the effects of a socially and ecologically destructive system that includes patriarchy, racism, and homophobia tied into a fossil-fuel based economy. All of this makes Kovel’s perspective even more noteworthy, and his plea that species and natural ecosystems should become partners in a common destiny, an unavoidable solution.
THE EMERGENCE OF ECOSOCIALISM offers theorized research that will appeal to scholars and students alike, including individuals interested in reading about a different perspective on how economic, social and political issues affect climate change, global warming and our humanity. You will not be disappointed.
