Building Something Better: Environmental Crises and the Promise of Community Change

Social scientists examine the causes and effects of global crises such as climate change, inequality, and authoritarianism. Sociology can help us understand how communities adapt to these challenges and develop alternatives to harmful systems. Malin and Kallman's book "Building Something Better" showcases case studies of communities creating distributive and regenerative systems that challenge neoliberalism and other ideologies. It offers a call to action and hope in times of crisis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2022
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

As the world grapples with a complex web of interconnected crises, from climate change to growing inequality to the rise of authoritarian governments, social scientists are diligently exploring the underlying causes and consequences of these global challenges. In their insightful book, "Building Something Better: How Communities Adapt in the Face of Crises," Stephanie A. Malin and Meghan Elizabeth Kallman offer a comprehensive and accessible exploration of the ways in which communities respond to crises and the role that sociology can play in understanding these adaptive processes.

Tackling neoliberalism directly, these communities are pioneering innovative solutions by creating distributive and regenerative systems that deviate from capitalist approaches. Through vivid case studies that range from activist water protectors to hemp farmers to renewable energy cooperatives led by Indigenous peoples and nations, Malin and Kallman showcase the diverse ways in which communities are adapting and flourishing in the face of adversity.

In addition to presenting these compelling case studies, Malin and Kallman offer critical critiques of colonialism, extractive capitalism, and neoliberalism, highlighting the ways in which these ideologies have perpetuated social inequality and environmental degradation. They also demonstrate how sociology's disciplinary traditions have been complicit with these ideologies and argue for the need to expand beyond them.

"Building Something Better" serves as a powerful call to action, urging communities to refuse to continue business-as-usual and to embrace alternative approaches that prioritize social justice, environmental sustainability, and community well-being. The book offers a glimmer of hope in a time of crises, demonstrating that it is possible to challenge social inequality and environmental degradation by building something better together.

In conclusion, "Building Something Better: How Communities Adapt in the Face of Crises" is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of social change and the role that communities can play in creating a more just and sustainable world. By offering a comprehensive exploration of the ways in which communities adapt to crises and by providing critical insights into the ideologies that perpetuate inequality and environmental degradation, Malin and Kallman offer a valuable contribution to the field of sociology and a roadmap for building something better in the face of adversity.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978823686