Political Theory and the Ecological Challenge

About this book

In recent years the engagement between the environmental 'agenda' and mainstream political theory has become increasingly widespread and profound. Each has affected the other in palpable and important ways, and it makes increasing sense for political theorists in each camp to engage with one another. This book draws together the threads of this interconnecting enquiry in order to assess its status and meaning. Andrew Dobson and Robyn Eckersley have gathered together a team of renowned scholars to think through the challenge that political ecology presents to political theory. Looking at fourteen familiar political ideologies and concepts such as liberalism, conservatism, justice and democracy, the contributors question how they are reshaped, distorted or transformed from an environmental perspective. Lively, accessible and authoritative, this book will appeal to scholars and students alike.

Contents

Introduction Andrew Dobson, Robyn Eckersley; Part I. Modern Political Ideologies and the Ecological Challenge: 1. Conservatism Roger Scruton; 2. Liberalism Marcel Wissenburg; 3. Socialism Mary Mellor; 4. Feminism Val Plumwood; 5. Nationalism Avner de-Shalit; 6. Communitarianism Robyn Eckersley; 7. Cosmopolitanism Andrew Linklater; Part II. Political Concepts and the Ecological Challenge: 8. Democracy Terence Ball; 9. Justice James P. Sterba; 10. The state Andrew Hurrell; 11. Representation Michael Saward; 12. Freedom and rights Richard Dagger; 13. Citizenship Andrew Dobson; 14. Security Daniel Deudney.

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Biography

Andrew Dobson is Professor of Politics in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the Open University, UK. He is the author of a number of books including Citizenship and the Environment (2003), Green Political Thought (2000) and Justice and the Environment (1998). Robyn Eckersley is a Reader and Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Melbourne. Her most recent books include The Green State: Rethinking Democracy and Sovereignty (2004), and The State and the Global Ecological Crisis (2005, co-edited with John Barry).