The currency of the Anthropocene. Dismantling the theological presupposition of neoliberalism in Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future

Andrea Righi

doi:10.6092/issn.2612-0496/15217

The currency of the Anthropocene. Dismantling the theological presupposition of neoliberalism in Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

This essay analyzes Kim Stanley Robinson’s latest Sci-fi novel, The Ministry for the Future (2020), by focusing on key narrative elements developed in the text that offer solutions to our current climate crisis. Although fictional, these ideas are theoretically relevant because they challenge the current symbolic system of neoliberalism based on a sacrificial economy and a notion of transcendence that demands the infinite accumulation of surplus value. In particular, I examine the import of Robinson’s argument regarding the need for political representation of future generations through the creation of an ad hoc intragovernmental branch (the above-mentioned Ministry of the title of his novel) and a new understanding of value based on the concept of the Carbon Coin reward system.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	61-77
Number of pages	17
Journal	European Journal of Creative Practices in Cities and Landscapes
Volume	5
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2612-0496/15217
Publication status	Published - 2022
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Alterity
Anthropocene
Carbon Coin
Neoliberalism
Transcendence

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.6092/issn.2612-0496/15217

Cite this

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abstract = "This essay analyzes Kim Stanley Robinson{\textquoteright}s latest Sci-fi novel, The Ministry for the Future (2020), by focusing on key narrative elements developed in the text that offer solutions to our current climate crisis. Although fictional, these ideas are theoretically relevant because they challenge the current symbolic system of neoliberalism based on a sacrificial economy and a notion of transcendence that demands the infinite accumulation of surplus value. In particular, I examine the import of Robinson{\textquoteright}s argument regarding the need for political representation of future generations through the creation of an ad hoc intragovernmental branch (the above-mentioned Ministry of the title of his novel) and a new understanding of value based on the concept of the Carbon Coin reward system.",

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AB - This essay analyzes Kim Stanley Robinson’s latest Sci-fi novel, The Ministry for the Future (2020), by focusing on key narrative elements developed in the text that offer solutions to our current climate crisis. Although fictional, these ideas are theoretically relevant because they challenge the current symbolic system of neoliberalism based on a sacrificial economy and a notion of transcendence that demands the infinite accumulation of surplus value. In particular, I examine the import of Robinson’s argument regarding the need for political representation of future generations through the creation of an ad hoc intragovernmental branch (the above-mentioned Ministry of the title of his novel) and a new understanding of value based on the concept of the Carbon Coin reward system.

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The currency of the Anthropocene. Dismantling the theological presupposition of neoliberalism in Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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