William I. Robinson, Global Civil War: Post-capitalism
(Oakland, CA: PM Press, 2022), 185 pages, $17.95
Steve Ellner’s book review published in the journal Socialism and Democracy
In previous works, William Robinson and others were mainly Marxists
Analysts have written highly unfavorable and troublesome effects
In the so-called fourth industrial revolution,
The wave of digitalization” (86) and computer technology, artificial intelligence,
Platform-based industry, biotechnology, union-free production
and other technological violations, which have completely changed
Capitalism. In his new book, Robinson demonstrates a lot
Facts and Examples How the pandemic accelerates these developments,
It forms the core of global capitalism in the twenty-first century.
The result is that inequality has reached an unprecedented level
Global” (84). Indeed, Naomi Klein calls it “theory of shock”
During the pandemic starting in 2020,
Rahm Emanuel commented: “Never let the crisis be wasted” (37),
Thanks to the trillions of dollars in bailout funds allocated to large capital. Robinson
Debunking the “fairy tale” argument of mainstream champions
The Fourth Industrial Revolution ignores its negative, if not evil, industrial revolution
Influence and see it as “Welcoming” [in] A new era of prosperity,
Democracy and abundance of all” (85).
Robinson refers to Marx’s paper, linking technological development
and system changes – some call it “technology”
Determinism. “Marx famously wrote that the windmill is
What is the feudal steam engine for industrial capitalism? although
Marx points out the terrible conditions of factories in the 19th century
He was quick to point out that capitalism representatives at the early stages
Progressive and favorable historical changes. on the contrary,
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, despite its all-engaging features (Google Maps,
As Robinson mentioned, movie streaming and more is a horror show.
High above this list is the police state, where Robinson discusses
His previous book Global Police State 1 and the COVID pandemic
strengthen. In the event parallel to the event after September
11, 2001, The pandemic helps prove
Democratic rights, including “hard “anti-terrorist” security legislation”
In 14 countries, “this usually makes legal repression of society
Movement and political dissent” (41). Just like a patriot
Take action, these measures are unlikely to be temporary and can be used as
“The smoke screen consolidates the global police state” (50). Pandemic
Encourage the development of increasingly complex approaches
Surveillance (as analyzed in the era of surveillance capitalism
Shoshana Zuboff)2 monitors by using digital technology
Movement of potentially infected individuals” (46). New
The accelerated wave of digitalization has also led to
Use “automatic weapons, such as unmanned attacks and
Transport vehicles, robot soldiers, [and] A new generation
Superdrones (79) and “predictive policing”, a practice
Discrimination against vulnerable sectors. These enhancement methods
State control is just a few examples of triple convergence
The book file: “Advanced Digitalization” (54)
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Common Pandemic and Authoritarianism
and deviate from traditional norms and practices.
Robinson has long believed that transnational capital (TNC) has
It replaced the capital of the country in the era of globalization.
His Marxist critics claim that his papers do not match existence
A powerful nation-state represented by Washington
Even Lenin’s concept of imperialism,
It is based on territory. According to them, the existence of imperialists
The statement to defend the national capital, as powerful as Washington,
It prevented the possibility of TNC becoming hegemony. Robinson
Responses made by pointing out the emergence of transnational countries
(TNS), as shown in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). 3
Importantly, Robinson believes that the nation-state and
In particular, the United States represents the interests of TNC
More than those in the national capital. But, under Trump’s leadership, TPP
Abandoned while Cold War World War II
The conflict has intensified on national interests.
In this book, Robinson answers his critics with nuances
My view is more convincing, explaining the coexistence of hegemony
TNC and hegemonic nation-state. Along the theory route
Nicos Poulantzas formulated by the country, 4 Robinson discarded
The concept is that the state is merely a tool for hegemony.
In this case, TNC, and thinks
Conflict between state and capital accumulation
The necessity of TNC. Robinson added “geopolitical friction”
For example, those involved in Russia and China, “are used to justify the rise.”
Military Budget (51) and this process promote “military accumulation”
(25). Indeed, the legalization function can be clearly seen
The case of the war between Democratic and Republicans
At least so far, this has resonated among many voters,
Therefore, legality can be enhanced. in short
Have your own dynamics, sometimes “over-determined”[s] economics”
(52), especially the maximization of profits from large capital. Robinson
Added that “we can expect conflict” between the two functions
“Strengthen in a pandemic world” (53).
Robinson clearly believes that the fourth industrial revolution is
In capitalism, accelerating changes in the common pandemic
“Capitalist Reorganization” (90). Indeed, he is
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is an example of internal transformation
The capitalist system originated from Marx and Engels. Both
The “bourgeoisie” is famously observed in the communist manifesto
It is impossible to exist without constantly changing production tools
Therefore, production relations, with them
The overall relationship of society. ”
Robinson no longer interacts with those theorists
Political scope, he believes the fourth distinctive feature
The Industrial Revolution is similar to feudalism, not representative
A new stage of capitalism. These “new madness” (or “technology – fen”)
Including writers of Greek Marxist economist Yanis Varoufakis,
Think Robinson calls it “capitalist restructuring”
It represents a breakthrough in the capitalist system. Varoufakis call
The new system is a “post-capitalist dystopia” and “worse than capitalism.”
5 New Crazy Writers believe that digital platforms,
By depriving accumulation, fictitious capital advantage,
Private prison labor printed by central banks
Replace profits as the driving force of the global economy and
Other developments that Robinson discussed largely do not involve production
Generate remaining values, this is
Capitalism. Furthermore, these models do not involve “free” labor
The market is also targeted at the capitalist system. But it’s a deviation
Pure capitalism does not mean
system. As David Laibman observed in passion and patience: society,
Historical and revolutionary vision, no matter the economy
The system is defined (whether it is slavery, feudalism, capitalism or socialism),
In a specific country or
area.
Robinson’s analysis in the chapter “Global Uprising?”
Resistance to neoliberalism in the twenty-first century through globalization
lens. He watched the two outbreaks of popular rebellion
The waves after the crash in 2008, he called it “a true tsunami”
Massive rebellion has never been seen in at least 1968″ (102).
The “Arab Spring” includes the Occupy Wall Street movement and
Protests in Spain and Greece led by Podemos and Syria, and
Second place between 2017 and 2019, which included protests
The “yellow vest” movement in Latin America and France. Robinson
Arguing that the protest was driven by the Financial Times
It is known as “global sentiment” (103) and “having a true global personality” (102).
In fact, events in a country have ripples or
The “demonstration” effect of the entire region or the world has always been
Unchanged throughout history. Robinson shows unique
He must show the quality of the “global uprising” after 2008
There is solid organizational link between protest movements
worldwide. This connection exists, but as Robinson knew,
Just like the World Social Forum, they are crispy
Driver of “Global Uprising”.
Robinson continues to point out the limited effectiveness of black people
Life movement and other anti-racist protests were
“No criticism of capitalist exploitation,
Class” (130), and identity politics is often the same.
Actions are just eliminating the success of symbols
racism and oppression”, so “they are quickly embraced
by many political and corporate elites” (131). To be effective, it is essential
Social movements comply with class analysis, they “is
Part of Amore’s extensive transnational anti-sex projects, including
Transnational trade unionism… and transnational political organizations
A transnational change project was proposed” (120).
Although Robinson’s criticism is correct, his analysis is similar to sharp criticism
Potential now not recognized among the leftists
Identity Politics – No Even Collective Analysis – Revealed
The double standard of capitalist system and those who support it.
Since he published his first work on globalization
Decades ago, Robinson provided a lot of evidence to confirm
His theory of contemporary capitalism. This book is no exception.
Information about the Fourth Industrial Innovation
The revolution showed their profound meaning.
Robinson persuasively believes that theoretical analysis needs to be rethinked
and strategy. Most importantly, this book breaks the fantasy
Representative of the wave of new technological innovation under the background of capitalism
What we know is beyond the threat to civilization.
Orcid
Steve Ellner http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9969-3350
©2025 Steve Ellner
