If We Had a Theory of Political Ecology, What Would It Look Like?

In: Capitalism, nature, socialism: CNS ; a journal of socialist ecology, Band 11, Heft 2, S. 77-82

Abstract

Responds to Alain Lipietz's "Political Ecology and the Future of Marxism" (2000). It is contended that Lipietz has clearly elucidated similarities between Marxism & political ecology; nevertheless, the need to expand political ecological theory is articulated. Four aspects of political ecology that require novel theoretical departures are identified: the understanding of value; the theory of crises; the assessment of social movements & political change; & the creation of an ideal society. Concerning the establishment of a new theory of value, it is asserted that there are three disparate sources of value in political ecological theory: the Marxist conception of value; the biological growth of renewable resource; & the scarcity of renewable resources. Although Lipietz perceives the ultimate objectives of Marxism & political ecology as different, it is concluded that the future integration of the two theoretical approaches is contingent upon determining the standards of equitability & sustainability. J. W. Parker