Abstract

This paper critically examines the marginalisation of veganism within leftist or progressive political discourse, particularly through the lens of Marxist theory, in the context of the Anthropocene. While Marxism has provided incisive critiques of capitalism’s exploitation of labour and nature, it has largely overlooked the ecological and ethical implications of animal agriculture, which is a glaring omission given its central role in driving environmental degradation and climate change. Drawing on Marx’s concepts of metabolic rift, alienation and value, the paper argues veganism is essential to any comprehensive critique of capitalism’s destructive relationship with both human and non-human life. It explores the parallels between the exploitation of humans and animals under capitalist systems and critiques the left’s inconsistent treatment of animal liberation as a peripheral concern, despite its deep entanglement with environmental justice, labour struggles, and anti-capitalist movements. By integrating veganism into Marxist ecological thought, the paper calls for a reimagining of leftist or progressive political frameworks to address the interconnected crises of food production, animal exploitation, and climate catastrophe. The Anthropocene demands an expanded vision of solidarity that transcends species boundaries, recognising veganism as a vital building block in the struggle for a more just, sustainable, and equitable world. A version of this paper was first presented at the Marx in the Anthropocene conference at Università Iuav di Venezia (Iuav University of Venice), Italy, in March 2025.

Keywords: Veganism, Marx, Engels, Marxism, Anthropocene, metabolic rift, alienation, animal liberation, environmental justice, anti-capitalism, solidarity, speciesism, climate change, animal agriculture, leftist discourse

How to Cite:

Leese, E. A., (2026) “The Political Left and the Overlooked Power of Veganism: Toward a Marxist-Animal Liberationist Framework for Ecological Revolution”, Animal Studies Journal 14(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.14453/asj.1641