1. The Bhopal gas tragedy occurred in India on December 2, 1984. What, who caused Bhopal? What case does Kovel present?
Bhopal gas tragedy occurred due to accidental leakage of Methyl-isocyanide (MIC), a toxic gas, which was an intermediate used in the production of a pesticide ‘Sevin’ by Union Carbide corporation. Union Carbide plant’s site was located close to a populated region, and the unstable MIC based pesticide manufacture process was chosen purely for cost minimizing reasons (Kovel, 32). The intermediate remained unutilized due to low demand for the pesticide, and Union Carbide was morally responsible for creating all conditions favorable for a poisonous gas leak. However, sabotage was sited as the immediate cause for the massive disaster. Further, there were several safety violations, worker protests, previous gas leak incidents within the plant, which were neglected by the corporation (Kovel, 33). The whole accident was the result of Union Carbide’s desire to make more profits, and the actual perpetrators simply got away (Kovel, 38). From Kovel’s view point Union Carbide acted as an ideal capitalist, and the accident was waiting to occur.
2. What does Kovel identify are the dictates of capital?
Capital is self-perpetuating, and in the process of growing itself, it destroys any kind of equilibrium that can exist within humans or in the natural environment. As capital needs to grow continuously, a capitalist should also constantly generate profit to survive (Kovel, 35). Hence, cost cutting is an inevitable dictate of capital. Cost cutting is done in the form of reducing worker wages or compensating in quality of machinery, building materials, neglecting pollution control, etc. (Kovel, 40). Thus irresponsibility towards human life as well as the environment, and their devaluation also becomes a dictate of capital (Kovel, 41). Finally, instability is an important capital dictate. Capitalists become personifications of capital and their constant drive to achieve more separates them farther from the poor (Kovel, 43). The instability is sustained by heavy competition for the ruler’s role, and aspiring capitalists follow the dictates for more capital.
3. Kovel argues that the ruling elite are structurally incapable of dealing with the eco-crisis. Why?
Capitalists have a grandiose way of thinking, and their big dreams leave no space for ecological concerns (Kovel, 85). Also, they believe they are a secure and secluded class of elite, who will not be affected by even natural disasters. Further, as capitalists are used to luxurious way of life, they think only in terms of profits or monetary compensations, and ecological resources are also viewed as commodities with some price. The elite class tends to depend too much on technology, and their decisions are very mechanical, lacking foresight (Kovel, 86). Hence, long-term environmental impacts of their deeds simply don’t matter to them. Finally, the “optimistic denial” trait perfectly characterizes a capitalist (Kovel, 88). None of the capitalist giants would want to truly address an ecological crisis such as climate change, as their competitive nature will not allow them to make a unified decision. What they require is a short-term marketable response that would boost their image. Either they completely deny the very existence of a crisis or they simply pose to be eco-sensitive. The ruling elite wants to safeguard only its market interests, and is least bothered about ecological crises that are unpredictable.
4. Capitalism attracts what type of psychological traits?
Capitalists strongly believe that capital can always compensate for destruction, and tend to attach a monetary value to their products, services, people and resources they use. They believe that it is the job of the lower economic class to endure problems or handle dirty cleanup tasks, and they can be compensated satisfactorily with capital. A true capitalist has a calculating mentality, ability to sell oneself and is a power monger (Kovel, 84). They desire for more profit within less time always, even if their actions have disastrous consequences (Kovel, 87). Psychologically capitalists do not believe any situation could go beyond their control, and they simply project an outward optimistic attitude to public, for market interests.
Works Cited
Kovel, Joel. The Enemy of Nature: The End of Capitalism or the End of the World? 2nd ed.
London: Zed, 2002.
