China and the Struggle for Ecological Civilization

'Ecological civilization' has multiple resonances by virtue of both each word and their conjunction. 'Ecology' challenges the basic assumptions not only of mainstream science but the basic assumptions on which capitalism is based. 'Civilization,' a much older term, is a reaffirmation of a vision of a life to be fought for and a condemnation of barbarity and decadence. 'Civilization' also indicates that the social forms that realize humanity's highest potential are the outcome of successful struggle and can only be sustained through continual effort. They are fragile achievements-civilizations can and do collapse. 'Ecological civilization' enables us to clarify the meaning of civilization, to bring into focus the decadent barbarism of late capitalism, and to envisage more clearly its transcendence (Gare 2010a). It enables socialists to revive a realistic and inspiring vision of a future beyond capitalism while freeing them from the baggage of Stalinism in all its varieties. Ecological civilization provides a new vision of the future that can capture people's imaginations and mobilize them for the required transformation.