It Could Happen Here Weekly 195

In this book, James C. Scott examines the failures of centrally managed social plans and the destructive consequences of high-modernist ideologies. Scott argues that states often impose simplistic visions on complex societies, ignoring local, practical knowledge and leading to disastrous outcomes. He identifies four conditions common to all planning disasters: administrative ordering of nature and society, high-modernist ideology, authoritarian state power, and a prostrate civil society. The book critiques various utopian projects, including collective farms, compulsory villagization, and urban planning, and advocates for a more nuanced approach that respects local diversity and practical knowledge.

The Monkey Wrench Gang follows the adventures of four ecologically minded misfits: George Washington Hayduke III, a Vietnam veteran; Bonnie Abbzug, a feminist saboteur; Seldom Seen Smith, a wilderness guide and outcast Mormon; and Doc Sarvis, a wealthy and wise surgeon. Together, they form a group dedicated to destroying the machinery and infrastructure of industrial development that threatens the natural beauty of the American West. The novel is a mix of comedy, chaos, and civil disobedience, highlighting Abbey's concerns about wilderness preservation and the essential relationship between a healthy planet and healthy human beings.

Ivan Illich's "Tools for Conviviality" is a critical examination of industrial society's impact on human life. Illich argues that modern technologies, while offering efficiency, often lead to dependence and a loss of control. He challenges the notion of progress as solely technological advancement, emphasizing the importance of human scale and self-determination. The book explores the ways in which industrialization has shaped various aspects of life, from work and education to healthcare and transportation, highlighting the negative consequences of these systems. Illich's work serves as a call for a more human-centered approach to technology and social organization, advocating for conviviality as a guiding principle for a more just and sustainable society.