Ecologism

Ecologism

There is much disagreement as to where Ecologisms origins lye, some may refer to ancient Pagon times when it could be argued that man held less explotative relationships with himself and the environment. Others may however aregue that Ecologisms origins emerged from the scientific emphasis of Ecology in the 19th century, while others propose emergence from the radical Peace movement of the 1960s. Despite the arguments as to the origins of Ecologism, there does appear to be common acceptance that Ecologisim is unlike most other ideologies because it inevitably politicises everyday tasks that would otherwise seem politically irrelevant. Ecologism may for example hold strong views on how we should travel or may ask many questions of the washing up liquid that we use. All those that promote

ecologism would tend to agree that it is important to preserve the environment, but there is widespread disagreement over the extent to which the environment must be preserved and the way in which preservation takes place, Andrew Dobson Distinguishes between Minmalist's, who hold a environmental anthropocentric view and Maximalist's who hold an environmental holistic view, such terms are explained further below:

Maxamists define ecologism in very strict terms; they draw their beliefs upon the definition of ecology. Ecology is defined as the relationship between organisms and their environment, because every individuals survival is dependent upon the relationships, which they exercise within an ecosystem no part of that ecosystem may be valued above another. Because of this concept Maximists are always trying to advance the concept of equality. Maximists are opposed to heirachy because they see ecological relationships as n...

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... an ideology, since such a perspective is often compatable with mainstream politics. If the Maxamalist perspective is adopted to define Ecologism there appears to be little argument whern questioning Ecologism as an indepentant ideology due to the fact that it questions the whole of modern industrialisation, although some have claimed that compactibility may be possible with Fascism, Feminism or Anarchism .

Bibliography:

Bahro. R. (1986) Building the green movement. London: Heretic Books

Bookchin, M (1980) Toward an Ecological Society.Montreal: Black Rose Books

Dobson. A, Green Political Thought, Routledge: London, 1990.

Kropotkin,. P (1917) Anarchist Communism: Its basis and Principles.

Plant. J. (1989) Healing the Wounds: The Promise of Ecofeminism. Philadelphia: New Society.

Singer. P (1991) Animal Liberation, Thornsones:London..