Capitalism--its Nature and its Replacement: Buddhist and Marxist Insights

In the third decade of the 21st century, deep problems plague our world, such as lack of nutrition, health care, and education, and global warming. Philosopher Graham Priest explains why we find ourselves in this situation, defines the nature of the problems we face, and offers solutions for creating a more rational and humane world. He draws on Buddhist philosophy, Marx's analysis of capitalism, and anarchist thought to discuss the need for bottom-up control of production, power, ideology, and an emerging awareness of our interdependence.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 252 pages
\n Publication date: 15 October 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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In the third decade of the twenty-first century, our world faces profound challenges. Many individuals lack access to adequate nutrition, healthcare, and education, despite the abundance of wealth available. The majority of this wealth is tightly controlled by a small elite, leading to widespread inequality and injustice. Furthermore, global warming exacerbates these issues, causing droughts, floods, rising sea levels, and forcing millions of people to migrate.

In this book, philosopher Graham Priest delves into the origins of our current predicament, identifies the nature of the problems we face, and offers solutions for moving beyond our current state. The first part of the book draws on Buddhist philosophy, Marx's analysis of capitalism, and their complementary roles in explaining our present crisis and the events that have led us here. Priest explores how Buddhist and Marxist notions of individuals can be combined to create a more rational and humane world.

The second part of the book takes on a more challenging task: how to create a more rational and humane world. Priest draws on Buddhist and Marxist ideas, as well as key aspects of anarchist thought, to address this question. He emphasizes the need for bottom-up control of production, power, ideology, and an emerging awareness of our interdependence. This discussion is essential for anyone who cares about the future of our planet and our potential to care for one another.

One of the book's key features is its accessibility. Priest explains the necessary elements of Marxist, Buddhist, and anarchist thought in a clear and concise manner, without requiring any background knowledge in political theory or Buddhism. The book also demonstrates how Buddhist and Marxist notions of persons are complementary, offering a holistic approach to understanding our social and economic systems.

Furthermore, Priest convincingly shows capitalism's role in creating the current socio-economic problems we face. He critiques the corrosiveness of top-down power structures and advocates for their elimination in a post-capitalist state. Priest also discusses capitalism's contribution to war, environmental degradation, and race and gender inequality.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of our world. By exploring the roots of our current predicament, defining the nature of the problems we face, and offering solutions for moving beyond our current state, Graham Priest offers a roadmap for creating a more rational and humane world. His discussion of the need for bottom-up control of production, power, ideology, and an emerging awareness of our interdependence is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our planet and our latent capacity to care for each other.

\n Weight: 396g\n
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781032049106\n \n