Great plagues subvert our expectations about how things work, opening up new opportunities and widespread mobilization for social change. According to one massive study of historical epidemics, “civil unrest” often follows – as we are seeing now. Whatever direction the future takes, I think we are in for a bumpy ride.  We are still grappling with a stubbornly mutating virus, facing a looming recession, unequally suffering the effects of climate change, and viewing with horror a conventional war of territorial aggression and brutality in Ukraine.   

If the winners of the 2022 WCSA awards are any indication, we have room for both hope and concern.  Capitalism does seem to be thriving, still.  But so are collective mobilizations against its worst manifestations. ...