This document is a complete overview for the course Environmental Politics (). I have put summaries of the readings and the lectures together in a document, this is perfect for revising and studying after watching all the lectures.
Lecture 2: Power and the Readings:
environment The political ecology of water in Chile
● The neoliberal model has led to the commodification and privatization of water → water is now in the hands of
a few actors who control the access to and distribution of water
● Water privatization has led to unequal access to water resources → this exacerbates social inequalities and
environmental degradation
Depoliticized environments
● The idea of the environment as a neutral and apolitical entity has become widespread → now environmental
issues are discussed purely in scientific and technical terms
● Depoliticization was caused by a global consensus on climate change → all actors have a common goal of
reducing carbon emissions
● Now political debate is limited to technical and managerial issues → post-political condition
Political ecology = a multidisciplinary field that studies the complex interactions between social, economic, and ecological processes.
It seeks to understand how power relations, institutions, and cultural values shape environmental change and resource management
Water use in Chile= privatization of access to water in Chile, privatization and marketization of natural resources
Lecture 3: Modernity and the Readings:
Environment An economist manifesto
● Modern technology and human innovation can be harnessed to achieve environmental goals, while also improving human
well-being and economic prosperity
● Economic growth and environmental sustainability are NOT in conflict
● Ecomodernist principles can be applied to the following areas for a more sustainable future:
- Decarbonization (nuclear power and renewable energy)
- Intensification (intensifying food production by using modern agricultural technology to reduce pressure on natural
ecosystems)
- Urbanization (can help reduce human impacts on natural ecosystems)
- Dematerialization (advances in material science and digital tech help reduce resource consumption and waste)
A planet to win: why we need a green new deal
● Green new deal= an urgent and necessary response to the climate crisis
● GND offers a new way of thinking about the relationship between economic growth, social justice and environmental
sustainability
● Criticisms on GND= costs, feasibility and political viability
Ecomodernism= a school of thought that proposes the decoupling of economic growth from environmental degradation through the
application of modern technology and innovation, such as nuclear energy, biotechnology, and geoengineering. It sees human progress
and environmental stewardship as complementary rather than conflicting goals.
● When = early 2010’s
● Why = frames the environmental crisis as a win-win business opportunity
, - Solution-oriented approach
- Promotes human progress and wellbeing
- Recognizes the role of technology
- Compatible with economic growth
Green Keynesianism= an economic theory that combines elements of Keynesian economics with environmentalism. The theory is
named after John Maynard Keynes, a British economist who advocated for government intervention in the economy to promote full
employment and economic growth, and who is considered one of the most influential economists of the 20th century.
● What= argues that government investment in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and green jobs can create
economic growth and employment opportunities while also addressing the environmental challenges facing the world today.
The theory suggests that the government should play an active role in shaping the economy through fiscal policy, including
investments in education and training, research and development, and sustainable technologies.
● When= early 2010’s
● Why= government policies can incentivize sustainable behavior and penalize unsustainable practices, such as carbon taxes
or cap-and-trade programs. These policies can help bring about the necessary changes in the economy by making
sustainable practices more economically viable and discouraging environmentally harmful practices.
Climate Leviathan - Mann & Wainwright:
● Keynesianism is not sufficient to address the scale of the environmental crisis facing the world today, the environmental crisis
requires a more radical, transformative approach that goes beyond the existing frameworks of liberal democracy.
● They propose a new approach that they call "climate Leviathan," which would involve a massive, centralized effort to address
the environmental crisis. This approach would involve a radical reconfiguration of the global political and economic system,
with a focus on the collective effort and collaboration to address the crisis.
Keynesianism does not work with:
● Neoliberalism
● Financialization
Modern ethos= The modern ethos refers to the set of values, beliefs, and principles that are commonly held and practiced in
contemporary society. It encompasses a range of attitudes and behaviors that reflect the changing cultural and social norms of the
times, and is shaped by factors such as technological advancement, globalization, and environmental concerns. The modern ethos is
characterized by a strong emphasis on individualism, equality, and social justice, as well as a commitment to personal and societal
progress through education, innovation, and cultural exchange.
Lecture 4: Environmental Readings:
authoritarianism and fascism The coming avocado politics
● The rise of the avocado as symbol of healthy and sustainable eating is indicative of a broader shift in environmental politics
(associated with urban, affluent and liberal consumers)
● Positive impacts= popularity of the avocado and other green products is a sign of growing environmental awareness and
concern among the general public
● Negative impacts= the focus on individual consumer choices and lifestyle distracts attention from the systemic and structural
causes of environmental problems
, China goes green
● Authoritarian environmentalism= a political approach that prioritizes environmental goals over democratic values and human
rights, relies on coercion and top-down control to achieve these goals
● This approach is often used by authoritarian regimes to bolster legitimacy and maintain political control
● Dangers= suppression of dissent and violations of human rights, lack of accountability and transparency in environmental
decision-making
Gilman = an American feminist writer and sociologist, criticized the notion of environmental authoritarianism and fascism in her
writings. She argued that such ideologies, which place the interests of the state or the environment above those of individuals, could
lead to the suppression of individual liberties and the violation of human rights.
Völkisch movement = cultural and political movement that emphasized the importance of Germanic culture and laid the groundwork
for the rise of the Nazi Party.
Wandervogel youth movement = a German cultural and social movement that emerged at the end of the 19th century and became
popular in the early 20th century. It emphasized a back-to-nature philosophy and encouraged young people to reject urbanization,
industrialization, and materialism in favor of a simple, rural lifestyle.
Environment and Nazi ideology =
● Nazi ideology denigrates human agency in favor of natural order
● Nazi ideology emphasizes organic holism
The environment and ecology are politically volatile and indeterminate.
The environment and ecology can be mobilized in divergent political directions.
The environment and ecology are given political content and meaning by theory.
Li & Shapiro = political scientists who have studied the concept of environmental authoritarianism, which refers to the use of
authoritarian measures to achieve environmental objectives. They argue that while environmental concerns are important and urgent,
efforts to address them through authoritarian means can often have negative consequences for human rights and democratic
governance.
Environmental authoritarianism in China = the environmental authoritarianism is different in the different regions of China, in the
less developed regions green autocracy is practiced (forced relocations for reforestation & renewable energy sites, often targeted at
minorities)
→ Li & Shapiro argue that this is environmental authoritarianism (because authoritarian motives are being covered by
environmental motives)
Increased manifestation of state power= States that can move whole populations and builds new hydropower dams, show that the
state is powerful and impressive
Increased inward experience of state power= recycling is rewarded, environmentally unvirtuous deeds are punished
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