Title: Out of the Wreckage: A New Politics in the Age of Crisis
Author: George Monbiot
First published September 1, 2017
220 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781786632883 (ISBN10: 1786632888)
Rating: 4.09
Overview
The world is ruled by a toxic ideology of extreme individualism and competition that destroys hope and undermines common purpose. But what if there was a new story, a positive vision that could re-engage people in politics and guide us towards a better world?
In his book “Out of the Wreckage,” George Monbiot presents a radical view of human nature that challenges the prevailing narrative of selfishness and greed. Drawing on the latest research in psychology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology, he argues that humans are inherently cooperative and altruistic.
With this new understanding, Monbiot offers a roadmap for a “politics of belonging” that reorganizes democracy and the economy from the bottom up, empowering people to take back control and overcome the forces that stand in the way of a more just and equitable society. Urgent and passionate, “Out of the Wreckage” provides the hope and clarity we need to change the world.
About the Author
George Joshua Richard Monbiot is a British writer who has made a name for himself through his advocacy for the environment and political causes. He is passionate about raising awareness and bringing about positive change through his writing and activism.
Monbiot’s work has inspired many and he continues to be a leading voice in the fight for a better world.
Editoral Review
Out of the Wreckage: A New Politics in the Age of Crisis by George Monbiot is a powerful and thought-provoking book that seeks to offer a new vision for politics in the modern world. Monbiot, a renowned journalist and environmental activist, has long been a vocal critic of neoliberalism and its impact on society.
In this book, he argues that the current political system is broken and that we need to fundamentally rethink our approach to politics if we are to solve the many crises facing us today.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part provides a critical analysis of the current political landscape, examining the failures of neoliberalism and the rise of populism.
Monbiot argues that our current political system is based on a flawed understanding of human nature, which sees people as inherently selfish and competitive. He suggests that we need to move towards a more cooperative and empathetic model of politics, one that is based on a sense of shared purpose and common values.
The second part of the book offers a vision for how we can create this new politics. Monbiot draws on a range of examples from around the world, from community-led initiatives to national policy changes, to demonstrate how we can build a more equitable and sustainable society.
He argues that we need to focus on building strong communities, empowering people to take control of their own lives, and creating a new narrative that inspires people to work together towards a common goal.
Overall, Out of the Wreckage is a well-written and compelling book that offers a fresh perspective on politics in the modern world. Monbiot’s writing is clear and engaging, and his arguments are backed up by extensive research and real-world examples.
The book is also highly relevant to the current political climate, as it offers a hopeful and practical alternative to the divisive and polarizing politics of today.
One of the key strengths of the book is Monbiot’s ability to connect the dots between seemingly disparate issues. He shows how environmental degradation, social inequality, and political disengagement are all interconnected, and how we need to tackle them as part of a broader systemic change.
He also does an excellent job of outlining the practical steps that we can take to create this change, from building strong communities to creating new forms of political engagement.
However, the book is not without its flaws. One of the main criticisms is that Monbiot’s vision is sometimes overly idealistic and lacks a clear roadmap for how we can achieve it.
While he offers a range of examples, it is not always clear how these can be scaled up or replicated in other contexts. Additionally, some readers may find the book’s focus on community-led initiatives to be somewhat narrow, as it does not address the role of larger institutions such as government and corporations in creating change.
Despite these limitations, Out of the Wreckage is a must-read book for anyone interested in politics and social change. It offers a compelling vision for how we can create a more just and sustainable world, and provides a roadmap for how we can get there.
Whether you are a seasoned activist or simply someone looking for new ideas, this book is sure to inspire and challenge you. Highly recommended.
