The Present-day Value Of Forster’s Eco-marxism

John Bellamy Foster is one of the most representative figures of eco-Marxism.In the book the Ecology of Marx published in 2000,Forster for the first time coined the word "eco-Marxism" and demonstrated the correlation between them.This thesis focuses on the research into eco-Marxism on the basis of China’s current condition.Compared with the theories advocated by any other eco-Marxists,the Forster one is evident in following features:his theory hinges on the penetration into and construction of the ecology included in Marxism,mainly focuses on railing against the disaster brought by capital accumulation,environmental exploitation along with the imperial expansion and finally aims at the establishment of a ecologically sustainable socialist society.All these are indispensable parts of his theoretical system.Both his criticism of capitalist ecology and construction of Marxist metabolism reveal the ills of modern capitalism with Marxism and are illuminating for the settlement of China’s environmental issues.Through documentary analysis,the thesis guides the readers to peruse the works of Forster and raises questions by comparing Forster and other Marxist ecology research.It mainly includes Forster’s analysis of Marxist ecology,the reconstruction of the theory and criticism of capitalist ecology and last but not least,the illuminating influence Forster has on human society.Besides the historical materialism of Marxism,Forster makes a further research into the material exchange process of Marxism and reveals vividly that capitalism is against ecology by nature.Hence capitalism and ecology clash on all fronts.The mechanical views held by capitalism are also under Forster’s criticism for they stop human beings from understanding the relation between nature and themselves and recognizing nature’s influence on humanities.Besides,it fails human beings to get along harmoniously with nature.Therefore,only by toppling capitalist society and establishing socialist one can people address the conflicts between humanities and nature and provide them with a harmonious environment.Despite the limitations on its bracketing Marxism with Marxist ecology and being comprehensive and systematic,Foster’s theory in effect sheds new light to easing China’s environmental crisis and directing a newer and quicker way of achieving the final stage of socialism.