The Anti-Capitalist Dictionary: Movements, Histories and Motivations

By Yves Laberge

The Anti-Capitalist Dictionary: Movements, Histories and Motivations by David E. Lowes
Zed Books, London, 2006
Pages: X+310. £16.99

People and groups that oppose capitalism often contest other issues and principles like deregulation, the military-industrial complex, consumerism and corporate-lobby groups. These terms and almost 200 others are all commented upon and defined here. This Anti-Capitalist Dictionary is an original and rigorous reference book, containing useful definitions and accurate cross-references on alternative movements ('New Left', 'Non-Governmental Organizations', 'Students') and political and philosophical concepts ('Ideology', 'Utopia', 'Value'). Each entry is about two pages long and the focus is more about debates and issues than persons. Therefore there is no specific entry for director Michael Moore or Noam Chomsky, for example, although they are mentioned in the appropriate places.

The main strength of the volume is that it always gives the arguments from both sides of a debate, and explains why some people protest about issues that, for many, should not be challenged. For instance: why do some critics oppose the strict protection of intellectual property? (p. 126); what are the real consequences of the cancellation of debt for poor countries? (p. 129); or who critiques the United Nations and for which reasons? (p. 264).

Another useful dimension is the inclusion of concepts that cannot always be found in common reference books (e.g. 'biopiracy'; 'genetic engineering'); and we are given a straightforward definition of 'Neo-Liberalism', that 'is promoted as orthodoxy by the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Trade Organization' (p. 170). Most definitions give the origins of an idea. For instance, the entry on 'Hegemony' reminds us that the term was first used about Bolsheviks by Georgi Plekhanov in 1905, and some twenty years later by Antonio Gramsci (p. 117). Not surprisingly, dozens of entries are related to environmental issues: 'Biodiversity' (p. 20), 'Deep Ecology' (p. 61), 'Global Warming' (p. 106), 'Kyoto Protocol' (p. 140), 'Sustainable Development' (p. 236), etc.

I would have liked an entry on anti-Americanism, movies and documentaries (the entry on media focuses on newspapers, conglomerates and the power of networks), but as with all good dictionaries, one does not seem to get enough! There is no mention of advocacy, but that topic is covered in the entry on 'Direct Action' (p. 73). Lowes' Anti-Capitalist Dictionary is the perfect complement (or prerequisite reading) to the Encyclopedia of Capitalism edited by Syed Hussein (NewYork, Facts on File, 2004), and both are essential for libraries. Both undergraduates and scholars will benefit from this excellent book - one always needs to get accurate definitions and clear arguments for every current issue.