Another Socialist World is Possible

• In Event: 121 - Section on Marxist Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 01. Social Justice Movements

Abstract

In the Communist Manifesto, Marx clearly saw the expansion of capitalism throughout the world, battering down the walls of traditional societies But that said Marx clearly anticipated globalization in which a now de-territorialized world market has made national borders permeable, goods and services quickly and freely travel across the globe and what is especially important today is the ascent of neoliberalism as the legitimating ideology of the transnational capitalist class and financialization is the primary motor of contemporary capitalism. Nevertheless, contemporary capitalism is not only fostered great inequality, but a myriad of hardships above and beyond the alienation and exploitation of workers as such, but a myriad of other forms of alienation and oppression such as racism, patriarchy, homophobia, along with various “externalities” ranging from global warming and catastrophic weather conditions, to the pollution of the air and waters, the mass production of industrial foods many of which tend to be loaded with sugars, pesticides, preservatives, antibiotics etc. While Marx’s primary concern was the emancipation of the working classes, it is clear we evident that today global capitalism has a variety of adverse consequences. Thus we witnessed the rise of various global justice movements (GJMs), anti-systemic movements, and occupations. On the one hand the plurality social movements today requires rethinking the Marxist understanding of social movements. At the same time as will be argued, understanding the variety of progressive social movements today must consider the nature of political economy and a variety of legitimation crises.

Authors

• Lauren Langman, Loyola University of Chicago

• Tova Benski, College of Management