Every discussion now seems to be dominated by a debilitating culture of limits. Whether the debate is about the economy, science or social policy, there is an assumption that we are no longer capable of making much progress, of improving the human condition. Indeed it is often assumed that even trying to change things is likely to make matters worse, since it will only create new risks to health, safety and the environment. The culture of limits is now accepted as gospel by those who would see themselves on the left and the right alike. There is a constant inflation of the dangers and problems which people face today, coupled with a diminished sense of humanity having the ability to develop society and to tackle any diffculties we might come up against in the process.
People are now more likely to be viewed as problems than as potential problem-solvers.
When we are not being patronised as hapless, fragile victims in need of protection from life, we are being warned of 'the beast within us all' that needs to be caged and repressed. That is all the more reason to make the culture of limits the central focus of this book. The manifesto which follows does not contain the kind of arguments and issues some might expect from a book with 'Marxism' on its cover. We are no less fervent than ever in our rejection of capitalist exploitation, our criticism of a society which puts profit before human needs, or our opposition to the system of global imperialism that condemns millions to misery. These and more remain critical problems that have to be tackled if we are all to have the life we want.