Exploring how the crisis of the world ocean is produced by capitalism and imperialism
How might an oceanic Gramsci speak to Black aquafuturism and other forms of oceanic critique? This succinct work reads Antonio Gramsci's writings on the sea, focused in his prison notes on waves of imperial power in the inter-war oceans of his time. Sharad Chari argues that the imprisoned militant's method is oceanic in form, and that this oceanic Marxism can attend to the roil of sociocultural dynamics, to waves of imperial power, as well as to the capacity of Black, Drexciyan, and other forms of oceanic critique to "storm" us on different shores.
What People Are Saying
"In an era defined by environmental threats and economic inequalities, [Gramsci at Sea] offers a unique and timely perspective that challenges our understanding of capitalism, imperialism, and the ongoing struggle for a more just and sustainable world. It reminds us that, even in the face of daunting challenges, there is hope for a future where the beauty and diversity of our oceans remain beyond the next wave, and where the oceans themselves can be a source of inspiration for transformative change." Habitable Air
"Not only an urgent reminder of the value of critical theory for ocean studies but also a vital vocabulary for describing history’s submerged forms." H-Net Reviews
About the Author
Sharad Chari is associate professor of geography and critical theory at the University of California, Berkeley, and is affiliated with the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research and the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies. He is author of Fraternal Capital and Apartheid Remains (forthcoming).