Introduction to Political Theory

Chapter 16 Ecologism

Introduction

Ecologism has only emerged as a fully fledged ideology since the 1960s. As

with all recent ideologies it has intellectual roots stretching back centuries,

but the construction of a relatively autonomous set of ideas and prescriptions

for action is a very recent occurrence. Ecologism should be distinguished from

environmentalism – for environmentalists, the desire to protect the environment

is based primarily on concern about the consequences of environmental

degradation on human beings, whereas for ecologists, something called

‘ecology’, or ‘nature’, is the source of value. It follows from this distinction that

whereas environmentalism can be combined with other ideologies, ecologism

is distinct. In terms of political practice, politicians from across the political

spectrum have embraced the rhetoric, and sometimes the policies, of

environmentalism, but this does not mean they have endorsed ecologism.

Chapter map

In this chapter we will:

• Distinguish ecologism from
  environmentalism.


• Outline the so-called ‘ecological crisis’.


• Explain how environmentalism and
  ecologism might fit with other
  ideologies.
  
  
  • Discuss the thought of two ecologists:
    Aldo Leopold and Arne Næss.
  
  
  • Discuss the arguments of one
    environmentalist: Garrett Hardin.
  
  
  • Advance a critique of ecologism.