Cannibal Capitalism: How our System is Devouring Democracy, Care, and the Planet - and What We Can Do About It

Capital is consuming wealth from nature and racialized populations, reducing our ability to care for each other and undermining democracy. Marxist feminist theorist Nancy Fraser argues that Covid-19 can help us envision the resistance we need to end the feeding frenzy and that we need a wide-ranging socialist movement to recognize the rapaciousness of capital and starve it to death.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2023
Publisher: Verso Books

Capital is currently engaged in a relentless and destructive process of cannibalization, consuming vast wealth from nature and racialized populations, eroding our capacity to care for one another, and undermining the very essence of politics. In this meticulously researched and urgently needed volume, renowned Marxist feminist theorist Nancy Fraser delves into the insatiable appetite of capital, tracing its trajectory from crisis point to crisis point, encompassing ecological devastation, the collapse of democracy, racial violence, and the devaluation of care work. These critical junctures culminate in the global pandemic of Covid-19, which Fraser contends offers a transformative opportunity to envision the resistance required to put an end to this feeding frenzy.

According to Fraser, what is desperately needed is a broad-based socialist movement that possesses the insight to recognize the rapacious nature of capital and cultivate its demise. She argues that such a movement must be equipped with a comprehensive understanding of the various forms of capital, including economic, political, and cultural, and must develop strategies to dismantle them systematically. This entails challenging the dominant narratives that perpetuate the exploitation and oppression of marginalized communities, advocating for social and economic equality, and promoting a redistribution of wealth and resources.

Fraser also emphasizes the importance of building grassroots movements and alliances that can mobilize people and resources to challenge the power of capital. She suggests that this requires a commitment to building strong and resilient communities, as well as fostering a sense of collective responsibility and solidarity. By working together, individuals and groups can create a powerful force that can challenge the dominant institutions and systems that perpetuate inequality and exploitation.

In conclusion, Nancy Fraser's book provides a compelling and timely analysis of the ongoing crisis of capital and offers a roadmap for building a socialist movement that can effectively challenge its destructive power. By recognizing the insatiable appetite of capital and developing strategies to dismantle it, we can create a more just and equitable world for all.

Weight: 170g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804292587