Bonfire: American Sociocide, Broken Relations, and the Quest for Democracy

Charles Derber shows how the US is moving toward sociocide - the erosion of durable, positive social relations in the economy, family, politics, and civil society essential to sustaining society itself - while offering pragmatic solutions.

Bonfire: American Sociocide, Broken Relations, and the Quest for Democracy examines how new technologies and financial strategies are part of broader economic, environment, cultural, and political shifts that create tipping points generating more competition, distrust, isolation, and violence. In doing so, Derber spells out the implications for democracy and social cohesion. Importantly, he explores options that could stop the spiral and reconstruct a sustainable and equitable community, civil society, and democracy via emerging movements against neoliberalism capitalism, climate change, war - and in favor of labor solidarity, human rights, and community.

This book will be of interest to students, scholars and activists with an interest in political sociology, political economy, and social movements in the US.

Charles Derber is professor of sociology at Boston College, USA. A lifelong social justice activist, his work focuses on the crises of capitalism, globalization, corporate power, militarism, the culture of hegemony, the climate crisis, and peace and global justice movements. His recent books include Turnout!: Mobilizing Voters in an Emergency (Routledge, 2020), Dying for Capitalism: How Big Money Fuels Extinction and What We Can About It (Routledge, 2023), Who Owns Democracy?: The Real Deep State and the Struggle Over Class and Caste in America (Routledge, 2024), and How We Win: Energizing Strategies, Voters, and Agendas (Routledge, 2024).