We Can Do Better

International Viewpoint

The best basis for political education in our times — one that is unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.

David McNally, York University

“With a new generation questioning capitalism and the social oppressions around us, there could not be a better time for David Camfield’s innovative case for a renewed historical materialism. Taking on some of the most important challenges to anti-capitalism, Camfield makes the case for a radical socialism that is anti-racist, feminist, pro-queer and ecological. In so doing, he powerfully demonstrates that historical materialism—if creatively applied—offers a compelling means to critically understand our world, the better to change it.”

Sara Farris, University of London, author of In the Name of Women’s Rights: The Rise of Femonationalism

“This is a must read book for anyone who wants to understand the complex forces that shape our societies and change them.”

Nancy Holmstrom, editor of The Socialist Feminist Project

“Clear, concise and well-argued, David Camfield’s We Can Do Better offers a powerful critique of our current system and provides hope for a better one. Aimed at newcomers, but rewarding to theoretically sophisticated readers, he relies on a reconstructed historical materialism that integrates the best of Marx and the most important insights of feminist and anti-racist analyses of capitalism, decisively refuting the standard counter-position of class and identity politics. Whether one agrees entirely or not, this is a stimulating contribution to theoretical debates regarding capitalism and strategic debates regarding how we can move beyond it.”

Alan Sears, Ryerson University, author of The Next New Left: A History of the Future

“This valuable book offers a theoretical tool chest for radicals, grounded in activist learning from the past 150 years of struggle yet open to ongoing developments. The development of theory can sometimes be cast as an ivory tower pursuit, outside of, and irrelevant to, activist struggles. This book shows the power of radical theory rooted in activist knowledge in contributing to the development of effective approaches to the struggles of our times.”

Suzanne MacNeil, President, Halifax-Dartmouth & District Labour Council

People who are inspired to change the world in the name of social justice need to cultivate an understanding of how the world works under capitalism. We are in a period of new movements emerging or re-emerging to combat sexism, racism, and myriad of other oppressions, and in the face of ecological crisis and reactionary right-wing movements, the stakes are high. As an introduction to social theory, this book will be especially useful to the activist who has questions about how seemingly separate causes are connected. This book will be a valuable tool in working together for the just society we deserve.”