Immanuel Wallerstein

Structural crisis in the world-system: where do we go from here?

by

The world-system has been in a structural crisis since the 1970s. The primary characteristic of a structural crisis is chaos. This is not a situation of totally random happenings. It is a situation of rapid and constant fluctuations in all the parameters of the historical system. This includes not only the world-economy, the interstate system, and cultural-ideological currents, but also the availability of life resources, climatic conditions, and pandemics. The one encouraging feature about a systemic crisis is the degree to which it increases the viability of agency, of what we call “free will.” When the system is far from equilibrium, every little input has great effect.

Beyond food miles

by

A local diet can reduce energy use somewhat, but there are even more effective ways to tackle the problem. Single-minded pursuit of local food, without consideration of the bigger picture, can actually make things worse from an energy perspective.

Two wheels good – March 9

by


– How one New York bike lane could affect the future of cycling worldwide
– New level of anti-bike mania in NYC (a classic takedown of a “New Yorker” screed)
– Bicycle master plan is expected to be approved by the L.A. City Council
– Bike spike expected as motoring costs increase
– Urban Bikeway Design Guide introduced (NEW)

International Women’s Day – sex and cheap energy

by

At the same time that we speak about the public accomplishments of women in Science, Art, Education, Politics, Social Justice, Law and more, we need to speak of something else – the degree to which the accomplishments and shifting roles of women over the last century and more have tracked and been transformed by not only our own intention and activism, but by cheap energy.

Growth of GDP and discontent in Egypt and Tunisia

by

The regime changes in Egypt and Tunisia have been hailed as victories for democracy, as proof of the liberalizing power of social networking media, as testimony to the power of nonviolent political action. All of that they may indeed be; but the events in Egypt and Tunisia also illustrate a major defect in our economic thinking, one from which we should draw a very different and much more cautionary conclusion.

Talking about oil — Complacency, panic and ignorance

by

Thirty-four years have come and gone since Energy Secretary James Schlesinger described the American approach to oil supply problems. “We have only two modes—complacency and panic.” Nothing has changed. As popular revolt spread from Egypt into Libya, panic smoothly replaced complacency in the markets and the overwrought minds of the American people. Apparently, since Egypt blew up first, and Libya, which is west of Egypt, blew up next, it has been deemed logical to conclude that Algeria, which is west of Libya, will be the next domino to fall.

Listening to Life, before it’s too late: An interview with Ellen LaConte

by

People of conscience face two crucial challenges today: (1) Telling the truth about the dire state of the ecosphere that makes our lives possible, no matter how grim that reality, and (2) remaining committed to collective action to create a more just and sustainable world, no matter how daunting that task. Ellen LaConte’s new book, Life Rules, is a welcome addition to the growing literature on these crises. It offers an unflinching assessment of the problems and an honest path to sensible action. In an interview, I asked her to elaborate on her background and path to the insights of the book.