Cynthia Kaufman

Author: Cynthia Kaufman

Cynthia Kaufman is the Director of the Vasconcellos Institute for Democracy in Action De Anza College where she also teaches Philosophy. She is the author of five books on social change: Consumerism, Sustainability and Happiness: How to Build a World Where Everyone Has Enough (Routledge 2023); The Sea is Rising and So are We: A Climate Justice Handbook (PM Press 2021); Challenging Power; Democracy and Accountability in a Fractured World (Bloomsbury 2020); Getting Past Capitalism: History, Vision, Hope (Lexington Books 2012) and Ideas for Action: Relevant Theory for Radical Change (2nd Edition PM Press 2016). She is a lifelong social change activist, having worked on issues such as tenants’ rights, police abuse, union organizing, international politics, and most recently climate change. She received her PhD and M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her B.A. in Development Studies from University of California, Berkeley. She started college at Mira Costa, a community college in Oceanside Ca.

April 29, 2026 Cynthia Kaufman Uncategorized

The Future of Democracy Requires an End to Fossil-Fueled Fascism

The fossil fuel industry is the most powerful and destructive industry in the history of the world. Right now the fate of our planet hangs on our ability to defeat the political power of that industry. It is ready to do anything, including making alliances with pro-fascist forces to maintain its ability to make profits. … Continue reading The Future of Democracy Requires an End to Fossil-Fueled Fascism

February 9, 2026February 10, 2026 Cynthia Kaufman Uncategorized

Affordability, Authoritarianism, and the Climate Crisis: The Fight in California

In California, as in the rest of the country, there is a war going on between two visions of the future. In one we have affordability, sustainability, and democracy. In the other we have poverty, extreme inequality, authoritarianism, and environmental disaster. Movement toward the first is powered by many organizations and a variety of forms … Continue reading Affordability, Authoritarianism, and the Climate Crisis: The Fight in California

November 7, 2025January 26, 2026 Cynthia Kaufman accountability democracy, new economy, politics, power, social change, solidarity economy, Uncategorized

Solidarity Economics: Building Sustainable Social Relations

https://www.routledge.com/Solidarity-Economics-Building-Sustainable-Social-Relations/Kaufman/p/book/9781032853055 Organizers all around the world are working to build ways of managing resources that serve human and ecological needs. But how can these projects be more than small islands of solidarity and sustainability surrounded by oceans of domination and environmental destruction? Solidarity Economics: Building Sustainable Social Relations lays out the landscape of these projects aimed … Continue reading Solidarity Economics: Building Sustainable Social Relations

July 31, 2025October 6, 2025 Cynthia Kaufman human rights, jewish politics, Uncategorized

Jewish Safety and the Weaponization of Antisemitism

This is a very strange time to be Jewish. There is much talk about a rise in antisemitism, but all around me I see people doing things in the name of protecting Jews—such as dismissing criticism of Israel as antisemitic—that are likely to make us less rather than more safe in this world. The very … Continue reading Jewish Safety and the Weaponization of Antisemitism

April 24, 2025 Cynthia Kaufman capitalism, climate change, fascism, new economy, politics, power, solidarity economy

It Is Time to Build a World Based on Solidarity

In Los Angeles, one of the wealthiest cities in the world, a city responsible for producing the images of style and happiness that are propagated around the globe, there are 40,000 people living on the street. Even its wealthy neighborhoods were not safe from the disastrous wildfires of 2025. These problems are the result of … Continue reading It Is Time to Build a World Based on Solidarity

February 1, 2025 Cynthia Kaufman Uncategorized

7 Rules for Narrative Discipline in the Time of Trump

We need to focus on helping people to see that the current administration is not on their side, to see the damage being done, and to see that there are alternative policies that actually would meet their needs. The next period in U.S. politics will be won on the battlefield of narratives. The recent presidential … Continue reading 7 Rules for Narrative Discipline in the Time of Trump

June 25, 2024 Cynthia Kaufman civic engagement

Restoring the Public Purpose of America’s Urban Universities

Restoring the Public Purpose of America's Urban UniversitiesDownload

March 8, 2024June 30, 2024 Cynthia Kaufman civic engagement, civil rights, politics, power, social change

On Safety, Comfort, and the Importance of Speaking Out

Approximately 1,200 human souls were killed in Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on Oct 7.  Since that date 30,000 human souls have been massacred by the Israeli Military with bombs paid for by the United States in Gaza.  Hate crimes are increasing against Jews and against Muslims.  The climate crisis is putting millions of people’s lives … Continue reading On Safety, Comfort, and the Importance of Speaking Out

March 3, 2024August 29, 2024 Cynthia Kaufman Uncategorized

Bridges to Another World: Call for Book Proposals

Call for Submissions to a Routledge Book Series Editors: Fred Block, Belinda C. Ramírez, Kathryn Kish Sklar, Cynthia Kaufman Deadline: Rolling Submissions We are living in revolutionary times. Social structures that have stabilized the world order since the end of World War II can no longer function. The climate crisis, deep challenges … Continue reading Bridges to Another World: Call for Book Proposals