240 Reviews A Rational Approach to Animal Rights: Extensions spirituality, beliefs, and experiences rather in Abolitionist Theory,byCorey Lee Wrenn. than being grounded in rational thought New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016. 239 consisting of ‘‘reason, critical thinking, pp. $100.00 cloth. ISBN: 9781137434647. reflexivity, and skepticism’’ (p. 16). She is also critical of how both animal welfare JESSICA GREENEBAUM organizations and animal abolitionist groups Central Connecticut State University promote post-feminist and post-racial activ- [email protected] ism. Thus, Wrenn calls for a new abolitionist approach that uses a rigorous scientific Leaders in the various nonhuman animal approach based in social science methodolo- rights movements argue over whether it is gy and theory that promotes social justice more efficient and productive to advance an over individual action. animal welfare or animal rights/liberation Wrenn uses Weber’s analysis of bureaucra- agenda. Members of these same movements cies and George Ritzer’s concept of McDo- debate whether they should endorse vegan- naldization to explain how nonhuman ani- ism or vegetarianism or just encourage peo- mal protection agencies have become less ple to reduce their consumption of meat effective since adopting a more professional- and dairy products. They also disagree over ized and bureaucratic stance. Non-profit whether veganism should be promoted for organizations, like the Humane Society of animal rights, diet and health, or environ- the United States (HSUS) or People for the mental reasons. In A Rational Approach to Ani- Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), work mal Rights: Extensions in Abolitionist Theory, with animal-based industries through legis- Corey Lee Wrenn challenges the convention- lation and company boycotts to modify al thought of the nonhuman animal rights industry practices and ‘‘make life better for movements that promotes a neoliberal, cap- animals.’’ In fact, in order to avoid alienating italist agenda that reinforces rather than potential donors, they promote veganism as ends speciesism—an ideology that values one of many options to ‘‘reduce’’ animal suf- human animals over nonhuman animals fering. This makes consumers feel good and justifies the exploitation and abuse of about the ‘‘humane treatment’’ of animals nonhuman animals. and encourages people to continue eating Specifically, Wrenn’s groundbreaking and using animals. Wrenn argues that in book provides a critical analysis of the two order to build networks, raise capital, and major perspectives within nonhuman animal reform animal-based industries, animal wel- rights organizations: animal welfarism and fare nonprofits end up profiting from the ani- abolitionism. Her main thesis is that various mal industries. Therefore, they compromise nonhuman animal protection movements the anti-speciesist message and lose credibil- have become irrational and unproductive ity among many nonhuman animal rights by actively employing sexist and racist tac- activists, including animal abolitionists. tics that defeat the goals of ending animal One of the most thought-provoking exploitation. By focusing on efficiency and sections of the book extends Wrenn’s previ- single-issue advocacy, nonhuman animal ous research that critiques single-issue cam- welfare organizations end up upholding spe- paign strategies that de-emphasize species- ciesism and other forms of inequality. ism and veganism. Wrenn explains how On the other hand, animal rights abolition- single-issue campaigning promotes reform ists endorse an anti-speciesist platform that rather than radical, structural, and systemat- rejects animal welfare reform and promotes ic change. She uses an analogy of a tree, as veganism as the basic requirement for end- formulated by Flinn and Cudahy (2011) to ing all animal use and exploitation. Although explain how speciesism and human use of Wrenn aligns herself with the abolitionist animals are organized and interconnected. philosophy, she is critical of the lack of an Single-issue campaigns may strike down evidence-based approach to making social a branch of the tree or a single problem that change. Currently, the narrative surrounding exploits animals; but they do not destroy spe- animal rights activism relies on personal ciesism, which is the trunk of tree. While it Contemporary Sociology 46, 2 Reviews 241 may not be possible to rip out the roots of our theories on social change including grass- neoliberal capitalist structure, we can attack roots tactics of leafleting, food tasting, docu- the foundation of speciesism only by pro- mentary screenings, and internet activism. moting veganism (pp. 74–75). Since she promotes structural changes, she Additionally, many of the nonhuman ani- is critical of strategies that rely on individual mal rights campaign tactics rely on a false nar- actions such as ‘‘voting with your dollar.’’ rative of a post-feminist, post-racial society Individual consumer practices, in particular, that objectifies and alienates women and peo- rely on an illusion of change in a neoliberal ple of color. Wrenn examines research that capitalist society. highlights PETA campaigns’ use of sex to Although Wrenn provides an important ‘‘sell’’ animal rights.Campaigns and advertise- cultural critique of the major thinkers and phi- ments that objectify women’sbodiesarejusti- losophies of the larger nonhuman animal fied by appropriating feminism with the neo- rights movements, some of the claims about liberal feminist mantra of ‘‘personal choice.’’ race, gender, and religious bias in the move- Women are now encouraged to objectify them- ments rely on theoretical and anecdotal claims selves for the cause of animal rights. Although rather than on research data. In addition, I womenarethemainactivistsandaremore agree that the nonhuman animal rights move- likely to be vegetarian or vegan, they are often ments must advocate for veganism based on excluded from leadership by the androcentric anti-speciesism. However, I believe a major movementandsilencedasmembers. component is missing from Wrenn’s analysis. Furthermore, nonhuman animal rights It may be problematic that corporate movements assume a post-racial ideology. conglomerates profit when they buy out small People of color are mostly ignored and vegan companies, but it confirms the demand attacked for addressing white privilege and for alternative products and the fact that ‘‘vot- class privilege within the movements. They ing with your dollar’’ makes an impact. The reveal that veganism is not an affordable or convenience of vegan food is a critical compo- attainable choice for all, particularly those nent to promoting veganism. Wrenn seems to who have few resources to make food choices. underestimate the importance of food as In addition, single-issue campaigns are xeno- a source of pleasure and comfort and as a sym- phobic and foster racism and speciesism by bolic representation of family and culture valuing cats and dogs over farmed animals. (Guptil et al. 2012). Thus nonhuman animal Since most westerners value cats and dogs rights movements must push for mass-pro- over farmed animals, people feign righteous duced, culturally sensitive, affordable food outrage over the abuse of companion animals and other products. in Asia, for example, but ignore their own This book is an important contribution to complicity in using and abusing animals. the vegan, intersectional, feminist nonhu- According to Wrenn, many movement man animal rights movement. It reinforces leaders rely on religious and spiritual the need for more social science research on mantras to justify and promote animal rights. animal rights organizations. I highly recom- If these movements are going to be anti- mend this book for academic courses on oppression, then they must also be critical social movements or animals and society of religion, which is based on hierarchy, and to individuals involved in social move- oppression, and obedience to authority. ments and activism. While Wrenn does not claim that people should reject religion in their personal lives, she calls for nonhuman animal rights activ- References ism based on secular values. Although there Flinn, Angel, and Dan Cudahy. 2011. ‘‘The Impor- tends to be a correlation between veganism tance of Being Vegan.’’ Retrieved January 3, and atheism, she warns us from thinking 2017 (http://www.care2.com/causes/the-imp that atheists are more rational and more like- ortance-of-being-vegan.html#ixzz1Rn2Eighf). ly to be critical thinkers. Guptil, Amy E., Denise A. Copelton, and So what should animal activism look Betsy Lucal. 2012. Food and Society: Principles like? Wrenn examines social psychological and Paradoxes. Malden, MA: Polity Press. Contemporary Sociology 46, 2.