Paper short abstract:

An analysis of labour and its exploitation can provide fertile and useful ground for anthropological analysis of humans and nature in a time of multiple ecological crises.

Paper long abstract:

The current climate crisis has led to significant debates within anthropology and more broadly about how to theorise the relationship between humans and nature with the aim of addressing this crisis. Some have argued that theory and research must take a 'post human' approach, and that Marxism should be rejected for its dualism and for devaluing nature. In contrast, this paper argues that theory and research must include robust analysis and critique of human actions, including human creations such as capitalism and value. Drawing on Andreas Malm's work, the paper reviews of Marx's analysis of human labour and systems of exploitation, and questions assumptions about the supposed dualism of Marxist analysis. The labour theory of value can contribute to analysis of how capitalism excludes nature from its value systems. The paper concludes by arguing that an analysis of labour and its exploitation can provide fertile and useful ground for anthropological analysis of humans and nature in a time of multiple ecological crises.