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"Good Ancestors" Must Be Red and Green: A Colorful Review of 'A Redder Shade of Green' by Green Left Weekly

Monthly Review

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Date Published
19 Feb 2024
Priority Score
0
Australian
No
Created
23 Sept 2025, 12:32 pm

Authors (1)

Description

Two decades ago, barely anyone called themselves an ecosocialist. Yet today the term is widespread on the left. ¶ This comes from an awareness that any viable alternative to capitalism must do away with the current destructive relationship between human society and the wider natural world. It also stems from a recognition that too many socialists in the 20th century failed to take environmental issues seriously. ¶ Climate and Capitalism editor and ecosocialist activist Ian Angus’s latest book, A Redder Shade of Green, is an impressive contribution to this vibrant trend in radical politics...

Summary

The reviewed book 'A Redder Shade of Green' by Ian Angus explores the evolution of ecosocialism as a critical framework for addressing the environmental challenges exacerbated by capitalism. It calls for a transformative socio-economic system that remedies the destructive relationship between human society and the natural world. The book reveals how past socialist movements inadequately addressed ecological issues, thus highlighting the need for integrating green thinking into progressive political discourses. While the article discusses notable shifts in environmental politics, it doesn't deeply engage with AI safety topics specifically related to catastrophic risks.

Body

“Good ancestors” must be red and green: a colorful review ofA Redder Shade of GreenbyGreen Left WeeklyMonthly Review Press BlogA Redder Shade of Green: Intersections of Science and Socialism204 pp, $22 pbk, ISBN 9781583676448ByIan AngusReviewed bySimon Butler“Two decades ago, barely anyone called themselves an ecosocialist. Yet today the term is widespread on the left. ¶ This comes from an awareness that any viable alternative to capitalism must do away with the current destructive relationship between human society and the wider natural world. It also stems from a recognition that too many socialists in the 20th century failed to take environmental issues seriously. ¶Climate and Capitalismeditor and ecosocialist activist Ian Angus’s latest book,A Redder Shade of Green, is an impressive contribution to this vibrant trend in radical politics….”Read the review atGreen Left WeeklyBuy this bookA Redder Shade of Greenby Ian AngusBuy This Book