War, Global Capitalism and Resistance: Selected Writings by William I. Robinson, London: Resistance Books, 152 pages.
Introduction
William I. Robinson’s War, Global Capitalism, and Resistance is a concise yet profoundly impactful collection of essays—most of which were published within the past decade—accompanied by an interview conducted last year. It is neither a scholarly work in the usual academic sense nor a purely theoretical treatise. Instead, it embodies Robinson’s sustained effort to make complex theoretical insights accessible to activists, organizers, and anyone committed to resisting capitalist exploitation and envisioning alternatives. Essays that examine the intertwined crises of war, authoritarianism, ecological destruction, and social inequalities under global capitalism make up the book’s structure. These pieces are chosen to form a coherent story that follows Robinson’s intellectual journey while preserving the relevance and urgency of his earlier works. Indeed, it emphasizes how his overall framework, which combines the theory of global capitalism with real-life instances of poly-crises, remains relevant today.
At the heart of Robinson’s work lies the argument that we are living through an existential crisis of humanity. This crisis manifests in three interconnected dimensions: ecological collapse, the threat of global war, and the unraveling of social reproduction for billions. Robinson attributes these crises to the insatiable drive of capital to accumulate, a logic that has pushed the system beyond its capacity to sustain itself. His solution is radical: a revolutionary eco-socialism that prioritizes human needs and ecological harmony over profit. The introduction by Phil Hearse further contextualizes the book’s significance, emphasizing its originality in providing an integrated analysis of phenomena often treated in isolation by mainstream narratives—mass migration, the rise of fascism, climate crisis, and war (p.xiii). This holistic approach is critical in a world where fragmented understandings of systemic crises can obscure their root causes. One of the most intriguing features of the book is Robinson’s ability to connect these seemingly disparate issues, offering readers a lens to see the global capitalist system in its entirety.
The essays examine a number of critical themes, from the global police state and militarized accumulation to the restructuring of education and the weaponization of mass incarceration. Robinson’s analysis of these phenomena is consistent and incisive in demonstrating how the capitalist system adapts and transforms in response to crises, while at the same time intensifying mechanisms of control and exploitation. This collection also provides a formidable analysis of the rise of fascism in the 21st century, framing it as a transnational phenomenon deeply rooted in the contradictions of global capitalism. Robinson, a distinguished professor of sociology at the University of California at Santa Barbara, explores how “twenty-first-century fascism” emerges at the nexus of authoritarian regimes, far-right movements, and the militarization of governance, serving as a mechanism for containing crises and suppressing resistance. The concluding chapter illustrates this dynamic with the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which represents one of its most horrific manifestations. In asking “why genocide, why now?” (p.137), Robinson examines the structural roots of Israel’s crimes against humanity in Palestine, situating them at the crossroads of the book’s central themes—global inequality, militarized repression, and the crisis of legitimacy within the capitalist world order. As I will elaborate below, Robinson’s analyses—both his brief essay in this book and his later works—offer a perspective that is as unsettling as it is compelling for understanding the aspects of the ongoing genocide, which is unlikely to remain confined to Gaza.
Crisis, Control, and the New Face of Fascism
Robinson’s introductory essay “Globalization: Nine Theses on Our Epoch”, originally written in the 1990s, provides a critique of the transformation brought about by global capitalism, characterized by its subsumption of all pre- and non-capitalist production relations under a global social structure of accumulation. This system is driven by a hegemonic transnational capitalist class (TCC) – a central concept/theme of Robinson’s theoretical and political work – that operates beyond the confines of nation-states, undermining traditional notions of sovereignty and rendering the nation-state framework obsolete. The transnational phase of capitalism is profoundly anti-democratic, concentrating power in the hands of global elites and exacerbating socioeconomic inequalities. Robinson underscores the paradox of escalating poverty amidst unprecedented wealth accumulation, emphasizing its racial, ethnic, and gender dimensions as intrinsic to the system’s exploitative nature. These dynamics, coupled with ecological destruction and systemic crises, pose existential threats to humanity and the planet, foreclosing the long-term stability of capitalism. Despite this, the global left is divided between those advocating for reforming the system and those rejecting its inherent destructiveness. Here, Robinson argues that global capitalism cannot be democratized and there is an urgent need for transformative resistance, urging us to envision radical alternatives that address the systemic inequalities and contradictions threatening the survival of our species.
Given the passage of time, one might question the continuing relevance of these premises. After all, it was the 1990s – the heydays in the folly of globalization – Robinson’s work gained international recognition. As a matter of fact, while the basic dynamics outlined in the Nine Theses remain integral to understanding contemporary capitalism, new developments—such as the rise of AI-driven warfare as well as digital and surveillance technologies, the intensification of ecological collapse, and the reconfiguration of global power structures—have added layers of complexity. All these considered, it is safe to suggest that this collection shows the extent to which Robinson has succeeded in advancing his theory of global capitalism in light of recent developments.
Post-2008 is a turbulent period in which the empirical evidence supporting the formation of the TCC is supposedly weakening, and one might expect the economic and institutional/political indicators of transnationalization to reverse. Discussions in both mainstream and critical/radical literatures, accompanied by concepts such as “deglobalization,” “multi-polarity,” “new Cold War,” “inter-imperialist rivalries,” and others, are a reflection of this. However, the global euphoria surrounding globalization that dominated the 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s has given way to a profound humanitarian and systemic crisis, revealing the emergence of a different kind of globalization. This new phase is marked by acute contradictions within the global capitalist order, with multiple dimensions converging to exacerbate the legitimacy crisis of the capitalist state and the broader framework of global hegemony.
Central to this crisis is the transformation of globalization from a project marked by neoliberal expansion of markets into a regime that is openly sustained by violence, repression, and ecological destruction. The depth of this crisis is starkly visible in the rapid expansion and diversification of transnational systems of social control, the intensification of geopolitical tensions, and the militarization of accumulation regimes. These processes are increasingly accompanied by the looming specter of global warfare. In the chapter titled “Capital Has an International and It Is Going Fascist,” the consequences of this crisis are evident in the emergence of neo-fascist projects across the globe. These projects are shaped by the specific historical and social dynamics unique to each national context. Robinson identifies Trumpism in the United States, Bolsonaro in Brazil, Milei in Argentina, the far-right Netanyahu regime in Israel, neo-fascist parties in Europe, the Modi government in India, and the rise of far-right movements globally as part of a broader trend he describes as “an emerging International of twenty-first century fascism” (p. 82). According to Robinson, these forces collectively aim for the “extension of capitalist globalization by other means” (p. 82), utilizing authoritarian and nationalist strategies to sustain global capitalist accumulation amidst deepening systemic crises.
Every electoral victory and the rise of one far-right leader serve as both a harbinger and a catalyst for the triumph of others in the global network of contemporary fascism. Recognizing this dynamic, all these far-right fascist figureheads and their entourage genuinely celebrate events such as Bolsonaro’s victory in 2018, often promptly extending congratulations to their counterparts around the world. Unlike the fascism of the 20th century, 21st-century fascism is characterized by the fusion of reactionary and repressive governments with the TCC rather than with national bourgeoisies, reflecting the transnationalization of capitalism. Additionally, the revolutionary left and organized working classes are significantly weaker today than they were in the past, further shaping the nature of contemporary fascism. Consequently, as noted, “the fight against fascism is necessarily a fight against the TCC” (p. 81). Drawing on Samir Amin’s call for a “5th International” before his passing, Robinson emphasizes the urgent need for the exploited, marginalized, and oppressed to unite against global fascism. He advocates for the formation of “a united front” and “a new International,” built on a unified minimal program and coordinated efforts that transcend borders and regions (p. 84).
The Nexus of Exploitation, Repression, and Resistance
Robinson’s essays on “Global Capitalism, Migration Labor, and the Struggle for Justice” and “Passive Revolution and the Movement Against Mass Incarceration” (with Oscar Fabian Soto) explore the intricate nexus of global capitalism, labor exploitation, and militarized repression. These essays critically highlight how contemporary capitalist globalization necessitates a system of “super-exploitation” of immigrant labor (p. 48), alongside the rise of the global police state as an instrument of transnational class domination. The global police state serves not only to manage surplus humanity but also to integrate repressive apparatuses, including detention centers, surveillance technologies, and private security firms, into circuits of accumulation. Robinson explains that the creation of distinct juridical categories such as “citizen” and “immigrant” labor constitutes a new axis of inequality and divisions within the working class, mirroring older colonial and racial caste systems while ensuring maximum exploitation while undermining solidarity.
State repression, anti-immigrant policies, and the militarization of borders are not mere reactions to migration but deliberate strategies to create and maintain a hyper-exploitable labor force. Immigrant labor is commodified in a manner that extends beyond traditional forms of alienation; under this regime, workers’ entire existence—physical mobility, legal status, and even social reproduction—becomes a controlled and commodified input for the global capitalist system. Robinson connects this exploitation to the broader mechanisms of global capitalism, where militarized accumulation and systems of repression converge to sustain the TCC. At this point, the author harshly criticizes identitarian politics, which have hegemonic influence within the global left. The left must move out of the narrowing scope of defensive postmodern identity politics, which is content to build shelters from the neoliberal assault and in this sense incapable of articulating and constructing a new world. A critical aspect of this “passive revolutionary” strategy, according to Robinson, involved the co-optation of activists and intellectuals from below through the rhetoric of “diversity,” “multiculturalism,” and the identitarian politics of “inclusion.” (p. 94).
The Critique of Imperialism Theories and Anti-Imperialist Left: A Synthesis
Robinson’s critique of imperialism, left politics, and anti-imperialism centers on the profound transformation of capitalism in the era of globalization. This critique, articulated in “The Travesty of ‘Anti-Imperialism’” and “Capitalist Globalization, Transnational Class Exploitation, and the Global Police State,” is grounded in his rejection of classical Marxist theories of imperialism, which he views as overly focused on nation-state-centric frameworks. He contends that while these theories were accurate for their time they are now inadequate to explain the dynamics of a globalized capitalist system dominated by the TCC. The rise of the TCC as the hegemonic fraction of global capital signifies a shift from nation-state-based imperialism to transnational class exploitation, which Robinson views as the defining feature of contemporary capitalism.
Robinson’s analysis highlights that the TCC is bound to nation states not as territorially but as specific centers of power that can be used from within and from without. This development renders obsolete the classical Marxist theories that linked imperialism to inter-state competition for territorial expansion and resource control. Instead, the TCC wields its power through global circuits of accumulation, transcending national borders. This transformation requires a rethinking of the concept of imperialism itself, which Robinson argues has become a state-centric and often ideologically misused framework. This is one of the reasons that Robinson has long distanced himself from the classical theories of imperialism and even from the concept itself. Instead of using it, he would often resort to the terms like “American interventionism,” “transnational class exploitation,” etc.
This perspective aligns with Robinson’s critique of the so-called “anti-imperialist” left. He accuses this segment of left politics of selectively opposing capitalist exploitation when practiced by the U.S. and its allies while turning a blind eye to, or even defending, the authoritarian practices of non-Western regimes such as China or Russia. Robinson’s work underscores that this approach is not only analytically flawed but also politically counterproductive, as it conflates state power with popular sovereignty and legitimizes repressive regimes under the guise of opposing Western imperialism. This is an inevitable result of substituting Marxist analysis with a state-centric “vulgar” IR/IPE, as Robinson strongly argues. The potential opportunities and inherent challenges that such a “realist” stance presents for socialist politics should be examined thoroughly and openly. In my view, truly progressive politics – rather than taking a side within ongoing transnational rivalries – must rely exclusively on the organized structures of the working classes and the oppressed, no matter how limited their current strength may be.
The rise of China as a global power and the Russian invasion of Ukraine further illustrate Robinson’s argument. In his analysis, China’s ascent is not an anti-imperialist project but a manifestation of global capitalism’s dynamics. The Chinese capitalist state operates within the transnational capitalist framework, engaging in global capital accumulation, extractive projects, and labor exploitation, often at the expense of marginalized communities in the Global South. Similarly, Russia’s geopolitical maneuvers, including the Ukraine invasion, reflect intra-elite rivalries rather than a progressive challenge to Western dominance. This critique underscores the need for Marxists to reframe anti-imperialism as a class-based project rather than a state-centric one. This shift requires moving beyond the “Manichean” dichotomy of “the West versus the rest” and focusing on transnational class struggles.
BRICS and Palestinian Resistance: Rhetoric vs. Reality
The BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—have often presented themselves as champions of the Global South, rhetorically supporting causes like Palestinian liberation. However, their economic and political ties with Israel reveal a stark disconnect between diplomatic rhetoric and their actual actions. Rather than being consistent allies of Palestinian liberation, the BRICS nations are deeply entangled with transnational capitalism, including significant economic and military partnerships with Israel. This contradiction between diplomatic rhetoric and material practices reveals the limitations of relying on states—even those outside traditional Western power structures—for meaningful solidarity with Palestine. It also underscores the urgent need for grassroots, transnational solidarity movements that can bypass state-level complicity and directly support Palestinian liberation efforts. It is essential for Marxist analyses to provide explanations for these contradictory positions taken by the ruling classes of the BRICS countries—without resorting to the bourgeoisie’s emptied notion of “national interests”. Robinson’s theoretical model and political conclusions, supported by rich empirical findings, are very important in this respect alone.
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