Catastrophism The Apocalyptic Politics of Collapse and Rebirth

by Lilley, Sasha; McNally, David; Yuen, Eddie; Davis, James; Henwood, Doug

• ISBN13: 9781604865899
• ISBN10: 160486589X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-10-05
• Publisher: PM Press

Summary

Amid a global zeitgeist of impending catastrophe, this book explores the culture of fear so prevalent in today's politics, economic climate, and religious extremism. The authors of this collection argue that the lens of catastrophe through which so many of today's issues are examined distorts understanding of the dynamics at the heart of numerous problems, such as global warming, ultimately halting progress and transformation. Arguing that catastrophic thinking results in paralysis or reactionary politics, the authors posit that the myths of 2012 have negative affects across the political spectrum and urge activists not to give up their beliefs and instead to focus on working on issues now instead of waiting until society has ended and needs to be rebuilt.

Author Biography

Sasha Lilley is a writer and radio broadcaster and the author of Capital and Its Discontents. She lives in Oakland, California. David McNally is a professor of political science at York University–Toronto. He is the author of Another World and Global Slump. He lives in Toronto. Eddie Yuen teaches at the San Francisco Art Institute and is the author of Confronting Capitalism. He lives in San Francisco. James Davis is a documentary filmmaker. He lives in San Francisco. Doug Henwood is a publisher and editor. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.