Political theory is an integral part of political philosophy. It is a valuable discipline that helps explain the fundamental bases of political relationships. Political relationships are essential in how government, individuals, and group structures relate. Political science mainly concerns how political processes, facilities, and institutions are used to achieve policy objectives. It is based on normative principles that define, inform, guide, and establish intersocietal relations between citizens and the government. Political theory is a crucial contributor to political relationships form. It describes political relations with the government as a systematic use of force. This force is exerted within a sovereign geographic area and guides human interactions and behaviour. Political theorists argue that the government has coercive power.
Environmental Political Theory looks at how environmental change needs to be sustainable. This objective is imperative as ecological sustainability is an ’emergent and disruptive ideal’. It forces political theorists to analyze the discipline’s fundamental political values and principles to benefit the global community. The environmental pursuits of one nation can have a lasting impact on the quality of life for the planet. Governments must work together despite political differences to restructure policy about the environment successfully. The theories look at how to transform the common ideals around sustainability; Political theory is therefore interconnected with the environment. Any ideas that go against sustainability imperatives will likely suffer from eventual irrelevance.
Sustainability and Political Theory
The concept of sustainability and its relationship to political theory is critical to achieving a governance system that prioritizes sustainability. There are challenges to achieving the sustainability imperative. The main factor influencing sustainability and political theory is scarcity. If humans fail to take proactive measures, environmental changes will result in a significant shortage of resources. This shortage will put immense pressure on society and the political system as they strive to meet the growing demands of a rapidly expanding population. As resources become scarcer, competition for them will increase, leading to conflicts and potentially destabilizing the political and social order.
Political Theory emphasizes the importance of preserving political power. At the same time, ecological sustainability necessitates that humans operate within the boundaries set by the planet’s ecological limits. As a result, social and political theories must be adjusted to align with ecological constraints. Environmental Political Theory primarily explores conflicts between political theory ideals, environmental limits, and sustainability principles.
Environmental Political Theory has several core ideals. The main principles incorporate the value of freedom, democracy, progress, equality and agency. Politicians must ensure environmental responsibility in the community, sovereignty, and justice to protect the environment in the future. The ideal of freedom often creates a conflict with environmental sustainability. Political theorists often advocate absolute liberty, arguing that a country should have the right to utilize its resources independently. However, this approach can be harmful to the environment. This tension between environmental sustainability and concepts like liberty and liberalism contributes to delays in adopting sustainable practices.
Ecological Justice and Political Theory
The concept of environmental justice and its relationship to political theory is crucial. It is vital to understand the best methods to prioritize ecological justice. Justice is a core factor in international environmental sustainability. This form of politics is closely tied to international relations and distributive justice. Justice is an integral part of Western moral and political philosophy. It is necessary for the effective coexistence of social relations and political institutions. To improve its legitimacy, a state must maintain justice according to its laws. People’s rights should be secure and not influenced by political bargaining or increased social demands.
Politicians must strive to maintain a balance between ecological concerns and development goals. National political boundaries should be established based on principles of fair distribution of resources. Environmental initiatives should significantly benefit from the responsible utilization of mineral resources within a specific geographical area.
International environmental politics requires a balance between justice and international relations to manage discussions about the responsibility of climate change. For lasting ecological sustainability to be achieved, it must begin with justice and equity. The global discourse on sustainable development acknowledges that addressing environmental injustices is critical in establishing robust international environmental policies. This has been the established viewpoint for over 30 years, examining the underlying factors and relationships that lead to ecological decline and environmental injustice.
Examples of Political Theory in Action
Political movements and initiatives prioritizing sustainability and ecological justice have significantly contributed to international environmental politics. The First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit was a significant political event related to the environment. This conference was attended by over 300 Black, Latino, American Indian, Pacific Islander and Asian American activists. These individuals joined together to promote the environmental justice movement. This movement was vital to addressing the inequitable distribution of environmental risks. Scholars argue that ecological concerns often affect vulnerable populations more harshly.
Policy decisions and implementation informed by political theories of sustainability and ecological justice have become widespread in environmental discourse. The 17 Principles of Environmental Justice is a significant piece of literature that examines the intersection of society with the environmental drivers of health. This document was vital because it was still used thirty years after the 1991 summit.
Environmental injustice remains a core cause of health inequities that disproportionately affect communities of colour and low-income communities. These groups are at the mercy of increasing the harmful health effects of climate change.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Political Theory and the Environment is a crucial area of study that addresses the relationship between the political system and the natural environment. The concept of sustainability and ecological justice are central to this field, as they provide frameworks for understanding the interdependence of human societies and the environment. Sustainability highlights the need for practices that meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Ecological justice focuses on the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens and the protection of the rights of marginalized communities. Both concepts are important for shaping policies and practices that promote environmental protection and social justice.
