Against the Grain

Forcing Elite Action on Climate Change

Many who are concerned with the unfolding climate emergency have pinned great hope on the election of Joe Biden and Democratic control of the Senate.  But, as sociologist Richard Lachmann observes, progressive expectations of Democrat politicians have been regularly dashed.  He argues that a different approach to forcing elites into action is more effective: combining disruptive direct-action with lawsuits and economic pressure, especially on the financial sector.

Resources:

Kevin Young, Michael Schwartz and Richard Lachmann, “A Tipping Point for the Defeat of Fossil Fuels? How to Stop Big Energy in Its Tracks (Quite Literally)” TomDispatch December 20, 2020