Who is Derek Wall and what is his primary political affiliation?

Derek Norman Wall is a British politician, academic, and writer, primarily affiliated with the Green Party of England and Wales. He is known as a prominent eco-socialist, advocating for both environmentalism and socialism.

What significant leadership role did Derek Wall hold within the Green Party of England and Wales?

Derek Wall served as a Principal Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales from November 24, 2006, to September 5, 2008. This position was considered the closest role to that of a leader within the party until it was abolished in 2008.

When was Derek Wall born and what is his nationality?

Derek Wall was born on May 26, 1965, and holds British nationality.

What was Derek Wall's profession outside of his political career?

Outside of his political engagements, Derek Wall works as an economics lecturer.

What academic qualifications does Derek Wall possess?

Derek Wall holds a BSc(Hons) in Archaeology from the University of London and completed a PhD titled 'The Politics of Earth First (UK)' at the University of the West of England.

When did Derek Wall first become involved in the Green movement and join the Ecology Party?

Derek Wall first became involved in the Green movement in 1979 and subsequently joined the Ecology Party, which later evolved into the Green Party of England and Wales, in 1980.

What was Derek Wall's role and performance in the 1989 European Parliament election?

In the 1989 European Parliament election, Derek Wall was one of three National Speakers for the Green Party. He secured 15% of the vote in the Bristol constituency, contributing to the Green Party's national achievement of over 2 million votes, or 14.5% of the national poll.

How did Derek Wall's political stance lead to internal party divisions after the 1989 election?

Following the 1989 election, Wall gained national prominence by presenting himself to the press as a 'left wing' candidate and a Green 'fundamentalist' in opposition to the party's leadership. This led to him being criticized as a 'parasite' by pragmatists like Sara Parkin and Jonathon Porritt, which contributed to negative media coverage at the time.

What was the title of Derek Wall's doctoral thesis?

Derek Wall's PhD thesis was titled "The Politics of Earth First! UK," which explored the political aspects of the Earth First! environmental movement in the United Kingdom.

Can you name some of the books Derek Wall has authored on eco-socialism and green politics?

Derek Wall has authored several books on these subjects, including "Getting There: Steps Towards a Green Society" (1990), "A Green Manifesto for the 1990s" (1990), "Green History: A Reader in Environmental Literature, Philosophy, and Politics" (1994), and "Babylon and Beyond: The Economics of Anti-Capitalist, Anti-Globalist and Radical Green Movements" (2005).

What was the academic reception of Wall's book "Earth First! and the Anti-Roads Movement"?

Academic reviews for "Earth First! and the Anti-Roads Movement" were mixed. One reviewer noted that the book offered "valuable and often original information about the radical environmentalist movement" but also criticized it for failing "to provide a systematic analysis of the topic" and for uncritically presenting the possible personal agendas of interviewed activists.

What distinction does Derek Wall make between socially-oriented development and capitalist growth?

Wall distinguishes by asserting that there is "no contradiction between development and ecology," but a clear "contradiction between capitalist economic growth and human life – and the life of all other species." He argues that a world dominated by the need for constant growth prioritizes a blind economic system of accumulation over people and nature.

What faction did Derek Wall help establish within the Green Party, and what are its core principles?

Derek Wall is a founder member of the Green Left, an anti-capitalist and eco-socialist faction within the Green Party, which held its inaugural meeting in June 2006. Its core principles align with anti-capitalism and eco-socialism.

What was Wall's criticism of the Green 2000 project within the Green Party?

Wall criticized the Green 2000 project, which aimed to modernize executive structures and reduce the number of Principal Speakers, stating that the "right around the Green 2000 faction wanted to make us into a mainstream party with mass appeal, ditch the radicalism, re-engineer the Party constitution and centralise power." He felt that the 'realists' of Green 2000 "imploded" after the party's poor performance in the 1992 General Election.

Why did Derek Wall receive a vote of censure from the Green Party Association of Green Councillors?

He received a vote of censure for comments published in *Red Pepper* magazine. These comments concerned an alliance between Green Party, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat councillors on the Leeds City Council, where Wall suggested that a fall in the Leeds West vote indicated voter displeasure with a perceived shift to the right by Yorkshire Greens.

What was Derek Wall's position on the proposal to create a single leader for the Green Party?

Derek Wall was a prominent figure in the Green Empowerment group, which actively campaigned against the creation of a single leader and deputy leader system. He argued that the title "leader" was "patronising," implying that members were "sheep" who needed to be led.

What concerns did Wall raise about the potential impact of a single leadership structure on the Green Party?

He expressed concerns that a single leadership structure could attract individuals driven by "fame and careerism," potentially shifting the party to the "right," compromising its commitment to radical democracy, and leading to "shallow environmentalism" rather than a thorough critique of an unequal, profit-motivated society.

How did Derek Wall personally criticize Jonathon Porritt during the Green Party's leadership debate?

Wall criticized Jonathon Porritt by drawing parallels with Porritt's own actions, noting that Porritt took 42 flights for meetings aimed at cutting CO2 while advocating for CO2 reduction, and suggested he should utilize video conferencing more frequently.

What was the outcome of the party-wide referendum concerning the Green Party's leadership model?

In the party-wide referendum, a significant majority of 73% of members polled voted in favor of creating a single leader for the Green Party.

How did Wall interpret the referendum result regarding the Green Party's leadership structure?

Wall stated that the result "challenges the Party to create a leadership structure that is true to green ideals" and served as a notice to future leaders that the membership expects "a more focused, more effective party, with a leadership team that is truly accountable to the membership in a real and effective manner."

What was the result of Derek Wall's candidacy for deputy leader in 2010?

In 2010, Derek Wall ran for the post of deputy leader under the Green Party's new system but was defeated by the incumbent, Adrian Ramsay.

What was Wall's perspective on the concept of "modernising" the Green Party, as articulated during his deputy leader campaign?

During his campaign, Wall maintained that "talk of 'modernising' the Green Party [is] actually code for changing inner Party democracy and changing the politics of the Party," suggesting it was an attempt by a "right" wing faction to undermine the party's democratic and political integrity.

What is the central argument of the chapter "Life After Capitalism: Alternatives, Structures, Strategies" in Wall's book *Babylon and Beyond*?

In this chapter, Wall argues that conventional economics is "surprisingly dangerous" despite being portrayed as a neutral science. He advocates for the anti-capitalist movement to propose "solid liveable alternatives" by addressing the "structural element" of capitalism, rather than focusing on "warm conspiracies" that personalize the enemy.

How does Derek Wall integrate Roy Bhaskar's critical realist philosophy into his critique of capitalism?

Wall utilizes Roy Bhaskar's critical realist philosophy to explain that "invisible structures," such as capitalism and language, shape society but can also be transformed by human activity. He posits that capitalists, in their pursuit of profit, are themselves "bearers of deeper structural imperatives to exploit labour, subjectivity and the earth."

What does Wall suggest as a first step to adapt capitalism, and what example does he provide?

His first suggested step is the implementation of "embedded markets" with "state provision decentralised." He cites the example of the Indian adivasis, who regained their land and sold tea through the Fair trade system, demonstrating how "social preference rather than profit maximisation socialised economic activity."

What other movements and economic models does Wall find encouraging or applaud?

Wall applauds movements in Argentina where workers occupy and reopen bankrupt factories, the development of a "decentralised, socialist economy" in Cuba and Venezuela, and the growth in Green consumerism, acknowledging that while it cannot lead to "utopia," such projects "ease present ills and point roughly to a different future."

How does Wall apply Marx's distinction between use-values and exchange-values to his economic propositions?

Wall applies Marx's distinction by stressing that "exchange values must be rejected" so that economics can be directed towards serving the needs of humanity and nature, rather than its "violent abstract growth." This implies prioritizing the inherent utility of goods over their market value.

What specific practices does Wall advocate for in his vision of an economy that serves humanity and nature?

He advocates for practices such as building things to last, sharing resources through increased use of libraries, adopting permaculture, and localizing economies wherever feasible, all aimed at fostering sustainability and community well-being.

What is the Rastafarian notion of 'Ital' and how does Wall connect it to his concept of localism and internationalism?

'Ital' is a Rastafarian notion of localism where "what is sacred is what comes from the earth and is grown locally." Wall relates this to his idea of a "worldwide rooted cosmopolitanism," where localism and internationalism are blended "without building walls between sects."

What is Wall's ultimate objective regarding the roles of the market and the state?

Wall's ultimate objective is the rolling back of both the market and the state, aiming for a society less dependent on these traditional structures.

How does Wall propose to achieve the reduction of the market and the state's influence?

He proposes to "defend, extend and deepen" the commons against enclosure, believing this approach provides the optimal model for consensus-based social and ecological management and sharing, thereby returning the means of production to people.

What technological example does Wall use to illustrate the concept of "new commons regimes"?

Wall highlights Open Source Software as a "stunning example of how both the market and the state can be bypassed by cooperative creativity," referring to it as one of the "new commons regimes." He humorously suggests that "Marx would have been a Firefox user."

What is Derek Wall's perspective on the combination of electoral politics and direct action?

Wall emphasizes the importance of combining electoral politics with non-violent direct action as a means to achieve change, encouraging protestors "to keep making noise" to make their voices heard.

What international human rights campaign did Derek Wall actively support and help develop?

From 1995, Derek Wall actively helped develop a British-based campaign dedicated to freeing the US death row prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal.

What spiritual practice does Derek Wall engage in, and how does it influence his worldview?

Derek Wall practices zazen, a form of seated meditation, and is influenced by spirituality through "pursuing a pagan appreciation of the living world in a variety of ways."

How does Wall connect Zen philosophy with anti-capitalism in his book *Babylon and Beyond*?

In *Babylon and Beyond*, Wall argues that Zen serves as a safeguard against utopianism because it "is based on being in the world rather than escaping from it." Drawing on Marshall Sahlins' work, he also links anti-capitalism and Zen by stating that "Zen minimises need and provides an alternative road to affluence."

What is Derek Wall's concise advice on how to be green?

Derek Wall's concise advice on how to be green is: "Consume less. Share more. Enjoy life."

Which newspaper does Derek Wall contribute to regularly?

Derek Wall is a regular contributor to the *Morning Star* newspaper, a left-wing publication.

In what year did Derek Wall contest a parliamentary seat for the Ecology Party against Chris Patten?

Derek Wall stood for the Ecology Party against Chris Patten in Bath in 1987.

What percentage of the national poll did the Green Party achieve in the 1989 European Parliament election?

The Green Party of England and Wales achieved 14.5% of the national poll in the 1989 European Parliament election.

Which left-wing magazine does Derek Wall write for, and what advisory role does he hold?

Derek Wall writes for the left-wing magazine *Red Pepper* and serves as an advisory editor for Socialist Resistance.

Who were the prominent pragmatists who criticized Derek Wall as a 'parasite' following the 1989 election results?

Following the 1989 election results, pragmatists such as Sara Parkin and Jonathon Porritt criticized Derek Wall as a 'parasite' due to his 'left wing' and 'fundamentalist' political stance within the Green Party.

Derek Wall Wiki: Derek Wall: Architect of Eco-Socialism and Green Praxis

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Biography

A Life in Green Politics

Derek Norman Wall, born on May 26, 1965, is a distinguished British politician, academic, and writer. He is widely recognized as a prominent eco-socialist, advocating for a profound integration of environmentalism with socialist principles. His career has seen him serve as the joint International Coordinator for the Green Party of England and Wales and as a Principal Speaker for the party, a role he held from 2006 to 2008.^[1]

Academic and Author

Beyond his political engagements, Wall is an accomplished academic, currently serving as a visiting tutor in the Department of Politics at Goldsmiths College, University of London, where he imparts knowledge on radical political economy. His scholarly contributions include numerous publications on eco-socialism and the broader Green politics movement, solidifying his intellectual footprint in these critical fields.^[3] He also contributes to the *Morning Star* newspaper and maintains a blog, extending his reach to a wider audience.^[3]

Electoral Engagements

Wall has actively participated in electoral politics, notably standing as the Green candidate for Maidenhead against then-Prime Minister Theresa May in the 2017 general election.^[2] His consistent presence in political discourse underscores his unwavering commitment to advancing green and socialist agendas within the British political landscape.

Early Activism

Roots in the Green Movement

Derek Wall's journey into environmental advocacy began in 1979, leading him to join the Ecology Party in 1980, which later evolved into the Green Party of England and Wales. His early political career saw him contest elections, including standing against Chris Patten in Bath in 1987. By 1989, he had risen to become one of the Green Party's three National Speakers, a testament to his growing influence.^[3]

Electoral Impact and Internal Strife

The 1989 European Parliament election marked a significant moment for the Green Party, which garnered over 2 million votes nationally. Wall himself secured 15% of the vote in the Bristol constituency. However, this period also highlighted internal divisions, with Wall presenting himself as a "left-wing" candidate and a Green "fundamentalist," clashing with "pragmatists" like Sara Parkin and Jonathon Porritt. These internal debates, though challenging, were integral to shaping the party's identity.^[4]^[5]

Local Governance

Demonstrating his commitment to grassroots politics, Wall has also served as a Parish Councillor, engaging directly with local community issues and bringing green principles to local governance.^[3] This blend of national advocacy and local engagement characterizes his comprehensive approach to political change.

Academic Contributions

Scholarly Pursuits

Derek Wall's academic journey is marked by a Bachelor of Science in Archaeology from the University of London and a PhD from the University of the West of England, where his thesis focused on 'The Politics of Earth First! UK'. This interdisciplinary background informs his unique perspective on environmental and social movements.^[3]

Key Publications

Wall has authored several influential books exploring eco-socialism and green politics:

Getting There: Steps Towards a Green Society (1990)
A Green Manifesto for the 1990s (1990)
Green History: A Reader in Environmental Literature, Philosophy, and Politics (1994)
Weaving a Bower Against Endless Night: An Illustrated History of the Green Party (1994)^[6]
Earth First! and the Anti-Roads Movement: Radical Environmentalism and Comparative Social Movements (1999)^[3]
Babylon and Beyond: The Economics of Anti-Capitalist, Anti-Globalist and Radical Green Movements (2005)^[8]

His work has also appeared in academic journals such as *Environmental Politics*, *Social Movement Studies*, and *Capitalism Nature Socialism*.^[3]

Critical Reception

While his book *Earth First! and the Anti-Roads Movement* was praised for offering "valuable and often original information" on radical environmentalism, some academic reviews noted a lack of systematic analysis and insufficient critical attention to the personal agendas of interviewed activists.^[7] This highlights the ongoing academic discourse surrounding the study of social movements.

Political Stances

Anti-Capitalist Critique

Derek Wall is a staunch eco-socialist and anti-capitalist, articulating a core belief that "an infinitely growing capitalist economy destroys nature, fuels injustice and leads to an alienated way of life." He views Green politics as the "politics of survival," emphasizing the necessity of building a "green economy based on meeting need rather than greed" to avert a bleak future.^[3] He distinguishes between socially-oriented development and capitalist growth, asserting that while there is "no contradiction between development and ecology," there is a fundamental "contradiction between capitalist economic growth and human life."^[12]

Internal Party Debates

Wall has been a vocal critic of certain organizational changes within the Green Party, particularly opposing the "Green 2000" project which aimed to modernize executive structures and reduce the number of Principal Speakers. He co-founded the "Association of Socialist Greens," a left-leaning faction within the party, and later the "Green Left" in 2006, advocating for anti-capitalist and eco-socialist principles.^[10]^[13] His critique often centered on the idea that ambition could dilute policy and reduce internal democracy, leading to a "shift to the right."^[10]

Opposition to Centralized Leadership

A significant aspect of Wall's political philosophy is his opposition to centralized leadership structures. He campaigned against the creation of a single leader and deputy leader within the Green Party, famously stating, "I find the title 'leader' embarrassing: it is so patronising, assuming a bunch of people have to be 'led', the shepherd label that assumes the members are sheep."^[15] He argued that concentrating power "stinks like rotten cod" and that "Green politics is about giving everyone power."^[17] Despite his efforts, a party-wide referendum ultimately voted to adopt a single leader system.^[19]

Beyond Capitalism

Alternative Economic Models

In his work, particularly *Babylon and Beyond*, Wall challenges conventional economics, deeming it "surprisingly dangerous." He advocates for "solid liveable alternatives" to capitalism, moving beyond what he calls "warm conspiracies" to address the "structural element" of capitalism, drawing on Roy Bhaskar's critical realism.^[8] He rejects deterministic Marxist views and subsistence ecofeminism, instead promoting "economic arrangements that fulfil need equitably, develop humanity, sustain ecosystems and lead to cooperation."^[8]

Practical Propositions

Wall proposes several strategies for transitioning beyond capitalism:

Embedded Markets: Decentralized state provision where "social preference rather than profit maximisation socialised economic activity." Examples include Indian Adivasis selling Fair Trade tea and Argentine workers occupying bankrupt factories.^[8]
Use-Values over Exchange-Values: Emphasizing durability and sharing resources, advocating for increased use of libraries, permaculture, and localized economies. He cites the Rastafarian concept of 'Ital' as a "worldwide rooted cosmopolitanism" blending localism and internationalism.^[8]
Expanding the Commons: Aims to roll back both market and state by defending and extending the "commons" against enclosure, seeing it as a model for consensus-based social and ecological management. He champions Open Source Software as a "new commons regime," humorously suggesting "Marx would have been a Firefox user."^[8]

Direct Action

Electoral and Direct Action Synergy

Derek Wall strongly advocates for a dual approach to political change, emphasizing the critical importance of combining electoral politics with non-violent direct action. He believes that both avenues are essential for effecting meaningful societal transformation. His work, particularly *Babylon and Beyond*, highlights unique and creative forms of anti-capitalist economics and protest, encouraging activists to "keep making noise."^[8]

Global Solidarity

Wall has cultivated strong ties with African-American and Afro-Caribbean Green activists, demonstrating a commitment to global solidarity in environmental and social justice movements. He has shown a keen interest in organizations like MOVE (Philadelphia organization) and, from 1995, actively supported a British-based campaign to free US death row prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal.^[3] This engagement underscores his belief in interconnected struggles for justice across different contexts.

Zen Philosophy

Spirituality and Praxis

Derek Wall's intellectual and political framework is also influenced by spiritual practices, particularly his practice of zazen and a "pagan appreciation of the living world."^[3] In *Babylon and Beyond*, he posits that Zen serves as a crucial safeguard against utopianism, grounding one "in the world rather than escaping from it."^[8]

Zen and Anti-Capitalism

Drawing on the work of anthropologist and economist Marshall Sahlins, Wall connects anti-capitalism with Zen philosophy, arguing that "Zen minimises need and provides an alternative road to affluence."^[8] This perspective suggests a path to societal well-being not through endless accumulation, but through a conscious reduction of material desires and a deeper connection to the present reality, aligning spiritual practice with radical economic thought.

Notable Quotes

On Green Living

"How to be green? Many people have asked us this important question. It's really very simple and requires no expert knowledge or complex skills. Here's the answer. Consume less. Share more. Enjoy life."^[23]

On Global Inequality

"At present cats have more purchasing power and influence than the poor of this planet. Accidents of geography and colonial history should no longer determine who gets the fish."^[24]

On the Anti-Capitalist Struggle

"This will be a long fight and anti-capitalism may fail. Nevertheless, at the very worst, even in failure we might succeed in bearing witness to the pathological absurdities of a world where money makes human beings and the rest of nature a means rather than an end."^[8]

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References

Wall, Derek, Weaving a Bower Against Endless Night: An Illustrated History of the Green Party, 1994

Wall, Derek, Babylon and Beyond: The Economics of Anti-Capitalist, Anti-Globalist and Radical Green Movements, 2005

Wall, Derek. Address to Global Future of Globalised Disaster? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD4r6Q3KL3Y

(Green Party of England and Wales) Website

Comment from Joe Otten on Rupert's Read

A full list of references for this article are available at the Derek Wall Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional political, economic, or academic advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consulting original academic works, engaging with primary political sources, or seeking advice from qualified professionals in political science, economics, or environmental studies. Always refer to authoritative texts and consult with experts for specific research or policy analysis. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

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Derek Wall: Architect of Eco-Socialism and Green Praxis

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Biography 👤

🌱 A Life in Green Politics

🎓 Academic and Author

🗳️ Electoral Engagements

Early Activism ✊

🕰️ Roots in the Green Movement

📊 Electoral Impact and Internal Strife

🏘️ Local Governance

Academic Contributions 📚

📖 Scholarly Pursuits

✍️ Key Publications

💬 Critical Reception

Political Stances ⚖️

🛑 Anti-Capitalist Critique

🏛️ Internal Party Debates

🚫 Opposition to Centralized Leadership

Beyond Capitalism 🌐

💡 Alternative Economic Models

🔄 Practical Propositions

Direct Action 📢

🤝 Electoral and Direct Action Synergy

🌍 Global Solidarity

Zen Philosophy 🧘

🌸 Spirituality and Praxis

✨ Zen and Anti-Capitalism

Notable Quotes 💬

🌿 On Green Living

⚖️ On Global Inequality

✊ On the Anti-Capitalist Struggle

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Biography

A Life in Green Politics

Academic and Author

Electoral Engagements

Early Activism

Roots in the Green Movement

Electoral Impact and Internal Strife

Local Governance

Academic Contributions

Scholarly Pursuits

Key Publications

Critical Reception

Political Stances

Anti-Capitalist Critique

Internal Party Debates

Opposition to Centralized Leadership

Beyond Capitalism

Alternative Economic Models

Practical Propositions

Direct Action

Electoral and Direct Action Synergy

Global Solidarity

Zen Philosophy

Spirituality and Praxis

Zen and Anti-Capitalism

Notable Quotes

On Green Living

On Global Inequality

On the Anti-Capitalist Struggle

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice