POLS1301 Lecture 10: POLS1301 Lecture 10
Lecture - Green Political Thought
**distinction between environmentalism + ecologism is important for exam**
deep vs shallow environmentalism
Green political theory involves both env. + eco.
Core idea
based on belief that care for the natural environment should be at the centre of
political consideration and action
more about what should be the object of our concern, rather than the human states
or values
central claims:
1. impending environmental crisis
caused by
2. unsustainable human activities
Requiring
3. shift in political consideration from humans to ecosystem
Why now?
60s/70s = beginning of contemporary green pol theory
Post-materialism: argument that we are no longer facing conditions of scarcity +
survival
this growth in prosperity = shift to focus on meaning, autonomy, identity, new
ideologies, etc.
response to world conditions + events, such as:
1973-4 global oil shortages
middle eastern embargoes on oil drove up oil prices, led to fuel shortages,
recessions etc.
this highlighted that fossil fuels are exhaustible
love canal (NY) 1976-8
chemical waste dumped into river, approved by govt
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
**distinction between environmentalism + ecologism is important for exam** (cid:1684)deep vs shallow environmentalism(cid:1685) Requiring: shift in political consideration from humans to ecosystem. 60s/70s = beginning of contemporary green pol theory. Post-materialism: argument that we are no longer facing conditions of scarcity + survival this growth in prosperity = shift to focus on meaning, autonomy, identity, new ideologies, etc. response to world conditions + events, such as: Change to idea that govt should be liable for env actions and that it is their responsibility to protect citizens from env disasters also that industry should be regulated. Nuclear disasters - e. g. chernobyl nuclear energy originally seen as fossil fuel alternative these incidents challenged this. Bhopal (india) 1984 largest industrial incident in global history pesticide factory leaked gas, millions killed and injured. Environmental crisis more about (cid:1684)we need to survive(cid:1685) rather than (cid:1684)helping the environment is the important thing to do(cid:1685) Industrialisation pursuit of econ growth capitalism consumerism overproduction.
