Destroy what destroys the planet: Steering creative destruction in the dual crisis

Abstract

In the contemporary dual crisis, economic crisis policies cannot be dealt with in isolation from the rampant and acute ecological crisis – and vice versa. In this article, we challenge the hegemonic positions in purported attempts to solve the crises so far: in the economic realm, the Keynesian episode of 2008–2009 as well as austerity policies, and with regard to the ecological crisis, ecological modernization and green economy. Instead, we will propose that both the economic and the climate crises can be ‘solved’ through the destruction of a particular kind of capital, that is, fossil capital. Given that capital destruction in general seems to be an essential part of overcoming capitalist crises historically and given the urgent need to demolish large parts of the fossil infrastructure in order to avert climate change, we discuss in this article the possibilities to politically steer the processes of creative destruction so that crises policies benefit the economy and the environment to highest possible extent.

On Spatial Planning and Marxism: Looking Back, Going Forward

“…Concerning our third component—the diabolic crisis—more analytical work is needed. But a Marxist theoretical approach, I argue, does give a more profound understanding of both crises than any other economic theory: locating the ultimate causes of crises in economic growth (crucial for ecological crisis) and contradictions within capital accumulation (as in economic crisis), as well as revealing the relations between these crises, and how crises normally are solved (through creative destruction) (Holgersen and Warlenius ; Næss , ).…”

“…This means that they should encompass both ecological and economic perspectives, but also contain both creative and destructive components. It is not only enough to plan more environmentally friendly buildings and infrastructure; we also need to actively devalue the landscapes of fossil capital (Holgersen and Warlenius ). Radical programmes should seek to introduce Marxist creative destruction.…”

“…After decades of class struggle from above, we need new planning practices that prioritise the working class within ecological limits. In light of this, it is hopeful that both the 2008 crisis and the climate crisis have trigged explosions of activism, including the Right to the City movements, radical planning and housing networks, organisations against eviction, Ende Gelände, and so forth (on the economic crisis in urban contexts, see Aalbers ; Harvey ; Holgersen ; Peck ; Rolnik ; on ecological crisis, see Foster et al ; Holgersen and Warlenius ; Malm ; Næss ; Sayer ; on resistance, see Marcuse ; Mayer ).…”

Searching for “Solutions” to Crisis: A Critique of Urban Austerity and Keynesianism

“…Studies have shown that new investments in renewable energy in fact add to existing production, instead of replacing it (York 2012). Another is the Jevons paradox: where new and improved technology can contribute to both increased profits and overall growth, and thus increased emissions (Foster et al 2010, Holgersen andWarlenius 2016). Despite key differences, the solutions posed by both austerity (through green fixes) and Keynesianism (through green new deals) to the diabolic crisis are underpinned by ecological modernism, an ideology claiming that more economic growth and more affluence is the remedy to the ecological crisis (Foster et al 2010, Foster and Burkett 2016, Malm 2016.…”

Creative Destruction and the Social (Re) Construction of Heritage

“…6 Halpern and Mitchell 2011. 7 Hart and Milstein 1999;Hart 2005;Hartshorn et al 2005;Holgersen and Warlenius 2016. scholarship beyond the heritage field, this exploration does not delve into the theoretical debates about authenticity and physical reconstruction that are well represented in the heritage canon. Rather, it is premised on a recognition of heritage being fundamentally a social reconstruction of built assets, a process that is not politically neutral.…”