Lenina Rosenweg
1st July 2010, 23:27
A few years ago I read A Short History of the Future by Warren Wagar.
http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Future-Warren-Wagar/dp/0226869024
Its one of the most interesting takes on the future from a socialist perspective (Wagar was connected w/the world systems theory movement). Basically the world goes though 3 stages. From 1995-2040 there's the 'Age of Late Capital". Neo-liberalism continues, there's increasing oppression, huge poverty, and ecological destruction.
Around 2040, partly due to the huge costs incurred in fighting global warming the world plunges into a horible depression. There's a world war (during which the US finally has a left wing gov't.), ending in a nuclear exchange. Much of the northern hemisphere is destroyed. Eventually a Third World based communist movement, the World Party takes power in a series of revolutions.The world becomes a global socialist society in the 2060s.
Socialism continues for the next 70 years or so until there's the rise of a countercultural decentralist movement, the Smalls.
ASHOTF isn't meant as literal prediction of the future but moire as a "menu" of possibilities. It transcends most science fiction scenarios.
The Amazon reviews , written by pro-cap conservatives, slam it. I thought it was great. I was wondering if anyone else has read this or what tgey might think of it.
http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Future-Warren-Wagar/dp/0226869024
Its one of the most interesting takes on the future from a socialist perspective (Wagar was connected w/the world systems theory movement). Basically the world goes though 3 stages. From 1995-2040 there's the 'Age of Late Capital". Neo-liberalism continues, there's increasing oppression, huge poverty, and ecological destruction.
Around 2040, partly due to the huge costs incurred in fighting global warming the world plunges into a horible depression. There's a world war (during which the US finally has a left wing gov't.), ending in a nuclear exchange. Much of the northern hemisphere is destroyed. Eventually a Third World based communist movement, the World Party takes power in a series of revolutions.The world becomes a global socialist society in the 2060s.
Socialism continues for the next 70 years or so until there's the rise of a countercultural decentralist movement, the Smalls.
ASHOTF isn't meant as literal prediction of the future but moire as a "menu" of possibilities. It transcends most science fiction scenarios.
The Amazon reviews , written by pro-cap conservatives, slam it. I thought it was great. I was wondering if anyone else has read this or what tgey might think of it.