Calls for a new narrative

Note: I’ve been developing a book proposal (now sent off) and will return to more regular posting here. 

Naomi Klein’s recent article with Astra Taylor “The Rise of End Times Fascism”  makes for grim but essential reading. Billionaires have already priced in some form of societal collapse due to climate change. They are focused on their own survival as well as on maximising their own future power. 

What stood out for me was this paragraph towards the end, in a brief section that looks at what can be done to counter the various apocalyptic scenarios being presented: 

“...we counter their apocalyptic narratives with a far better story about how to survive the hard times ahead without leaving anyone behind. A story capable of draining end times fascism of its gothic power and galvanizing a movement ready to put it all on the line for our collective survival.” 

I’ve mentioned before that these calls for a new narrative or alternative paradigm have been coming at regular intervals. Below is a selection starting in 2015 with Naomi Klein and Paul Mason. In a future post I’ll be going into more detail on possible reasons why so few people are actually working on that narrative. 

• In 2015, Naomi Klein made a call for a “counter-narrative that we can have a different economy with more, better jobs.” 

• “We need more than just a bunch of utopian dreams and small-scale horizontal projects. We need a project based on reason, evidence and testable designs, that cuts with the grain of history and is sustainable by the planet. And we need to get on with it.” Paul Mason, 2015

• “Replacing neoliberalism, while difficult, is arguably the most impactful way to unlock progress across a broad range of issues.” Memo to the Hewlett Foundation board from chair Larry Kramer, 2018 

• “I believe our task is to identify the best proposals from many different thinkers and shape them into a coherent alternative.” George Monbiot, 2019

• “...it is essential to move beyond nostalgic rhetoric and articulate forward-thinking ideas about constructing a better political order for the future.” Friedrich Ebert Foundation, April 2024

• “We are living through a critical period. Markets on their own will neither stop climate change nor lead to a less unequal distribution of wealth... What is needed is a new political consensus addressing the deep drivers of people’s distrust instead of merely focusing on the symptoms, or falling into the trap of populists who pretend to have simple answers.” 

Berlin Summit declaration, April 2024. The 572 signatories include economists Dani Rodrik and Mariana Mazzucato, and economic historian Adam Tooze. 

• “...we have to put forward a positive vision, worth fighting for. From my research, I would describe it as scientifically informed democratic decision-making for the common good.” Julia Steinberger, April 2025

• “You know, the difficulty of being progressive is that it’s difficult to unite everybody around a single issue. So most of the progressives I know are trying to figure that out.”  Abigail Disney, philanthropist and tax justice campaigner, April 2025