The politics of environmentalism
R Eckersley
8 points * 3 hours per week * Second semester * Clayton
This subject explores political responses to the ecological crisis with special emphasis given to the impact of modern environmentalism upon political ideas and institutions. The subject examines three general areas: (1) the ecological critique of industrialism, the rise of modern environmentalism, the emergence of green political parties and the current ideological and strategic debates within the green movement; (2) the challenges posed to `conventional' political theory by a range of new environmental philosophies and ecopolitical theories (eg animal liberation, deep ecology, ecofeminism, ecosocialism and ecoanarchism); these new approaches will be linked to current ideological controversies within green political circles; (3) key environmental debates in Australian politics with special emphasis given to broad policy questions such as the sustainable development debate and the ecological critique of `mainstream economics'. The subject aims to relate new theoretical developments in environmental ethics and ecopolitics to current debates within the green movement and to environmental policy debates within the wider community.
Assessment
Written (3000 words): 50% * Examinations (3 hours): 50%
Recommended texts
Eckersley R Environmentalism and political theory State U of NY P and U CL P
Papadakis E Politics and the environment Allen and Unwin
World Commission on Environment and Development Our common future OUP