I’m writing from the basement to the sound of a nice solid thunderstorm outside. It’s difficult to describe the calming effect that rain has on me – growing up on a farm/ranch where drought was terrible. I wish it rained more here in Western South Dakota, especially in July and August (when the furnace really turns on). I mentioned to Jessica yesterday that I want to visit Grand Rapids Michigan and do some hiking there, and maybe enjoy more rain during the summer. I haven’t been there, and also contemplate possibilities of moving there, or Minnesota, should fascism and ecological catastrophe hit hard (being closed to Canada would be nice – and being in a more left leaning state).
Anyway, my new book Religion and Economics: Justice in an Age of Capital and Catastrophe will be released next month (available for pre-order). The paperback will be cheaper (I hope!)
The cover is special since it’s a photo I took in Palestine in 2013.
A few endorsements I managed to obtain (with only two weeks!):
“…a monumental contribution, demonstrating with remarkable clarity and breadth how religion and cooperatives intersect—how they have done so powerfully in the past and how they can even more so in the future. Hübner has written a book I have long been hoping for.“ (Nathan Schneider, University of Colorado Boulder, author of Everything for Everyone)“…a meticulously-researched volume exploring the connections between religion and cooperative economics, the latter defined as collective action and an ethical commitment to economic justice. The book surveys relevant practice and scripture within the Vedic traditions of India, as well as Islam, Judaism and Christianity, among others and couldn’t be more timely considering the latter-day instrumentalization of religious faith by the Trumps, Orbans and Modis of the world.” (Jerome Warren, Royal Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters of Belgium, co-editor of Global Cooperative Economics & Movements)“This brilliant, profound, stimulating and compelling book comes at a time when the world grapples with economic injustice, epistemic injustice, climate catastrophe, wars, genocides, western neo colonialism and imperialism, food insecurity, constriction of health, education and social security systems adversely affecting people in margins.
Hübner draws attention to existing models of cooperatives and argues how cooperative economics and religion can play an important role in empowering communities to make their own decisions in resource management, where people have the power and control of their bodies, workplaces, resources and the ecosystem.
His prophetic work provides solutions for re-imagining, reorganizing and re-orienting ourselves as societies, churches, faith communities, businesses, education systems, and political organizations to work towards building social, ecological, and biological harmony as an ethical and just response. This is an excellent resource that will be widely read and utilised not just in academic research and theology, but for movements and I hope by churches, cooperatives and workers too.” (Sanjana Das, University of KwaZulu Natal, co-editor of Decolonizing Development and Religion)
Terrible contract though: I walk away with $850 and get no royalties. (That’s because it’s expected not to sell very many; Palgrave does tons of monographs like these so that’s not really abnormal. But, I still like a royalties contract.)
A chapter I wrote also now appears in the volume Decolonizing Development and Religion: Theoretical Frameworks, Case Studies, and Theological Models (edited by Sanjana Das and Joerg Rieger). I discuss how cooperatives have facilitated radical social change, with case studies in Indonesia, Central America, and Palestine.
My review of the second volume of the Cambridge History of Socialism was published in Capital & Class. My review of Joerg’s Theology in the Capitalocene was published in Faith & Economics.
Still waiting for final proof, but my chapter is also coming out: “Metaphor, Meaning, and Religious Discourse: A Linguistic and Theological Archeology of the ‘Liquidation of the Human Spirit’,” in Religious Faith and Meaning-Making: Multidisciplinary Perspectives, ed. Kirk Lougheed and Travis Myers. London: Palgrave MacMillan, 2025.
I’m currently working on a 10,000 word pub for Oxford University Press. Wish me luck, as they say.
I’m happy Mamdani won NYC Mayor nomination (although he’s a bit mild in his policy proposals). His father’s book Neither Settler Nor Native is one of the most important and brilliant works I may have ever read. The success of ranked-choice/preferential voting over plurality in this election has been a nice reminder that including this requirement in the bylaws of the Humane Society and Breadroot Cooperative was a good choice; people want to vote for good candidates, and if there aren’t any, they don’t vote. (Crazy, right?) Yes, I’m patting myself on the back for something obscure and that will probably never make much difference (since few seats in these types of small-org elections are exceeded by candidates).
I’m also working on two books, the titles of which I don’t want to reveal yet. One is in social and economic history, and another popular work in politics.
Things have been terribly busy at the Humane Society and food cooperative. I now serve as both President and interim Treasurer of the Humane Society (and chair of two committees), and serve as Treasurer of the Breadroot and chair of two committees. I’m scrambling to get more help (we’re short on board members), and some is one the way. So far it’s been a highly productive transformation of the Humane Society, but with no little bumps along the way (some staff turnover, critical decisions, etc.). We’re overcrowding and need to figure something out about this chronic problem that’s getting worse. But our Gala went really well, and we’re gaining new members. The Breadroot is at a pivotal movement in deciding to move on a property for expansion, and it’s important since a grocery store (almost certainly Natural Grocers) is coming downtown. This community is growing fast enough and there aren’t enough good grocery stores downtown that I think we’ll be OK regardless.
I can’t believe the Gaza genocide has only gotten worse and more obvious. There are more successes with BDS, and I really hope the EU can bring themselves to sever ties with Israel coming up soon. It’s the very very least that anyone can do. (it’s all archived at places like tiktokgenocide.com)
I was hoping to speak about my book for a round table discussion at the AAR Annual meeting but they were clogged with proposals and it didn’t work out. Sad; I wanted to go to Boston (never been there).
Otherwise, I’m doing a full a kitchen and bath remodel on the northside duplex. Hopefully it gets done soon; I’m getting the other half of insurance money for the deal (it flooded from sewer blockage). I’m currently doing drywall, the tiled shower, and then flooring.
Jessica is scrambling to get things ready for another garage vintage sale for this weekend. She finds the most interesting things; her fanbase/audience is also growing, I’m not into vintage much, but there’s definitely a market for it.
We travel to Ohio in August to see Over the Rhine in their annual on-site (acreage) festival. We hope to dip south into some places we’ve never been on our way home. I’m looking forward to a road trip; it’s been a while.