Module description
In the last decade, earth system scientists have concluded that human beings have become the primary geological force affecting the planetary system. Resolving the accelerating ecological crises generated by human activity is without doubt the central challenge that we face in the twenty-first century. This course examines the transformations in the global political economy that are propelling the dramatic shifts in the biosphere. Furthermore, it illuminates the unevenness of environmental breakdown through shedding light on the power relations that sustain a system in which those least responsible for ecological degradation tend to be the most exposed to its negative effects.
Specifically, the program of study addresses different approaches to the political economy of the environment, including Environmental and Ecological Economics, along with Marxist, Ecofeminist, Posthumanist and Decolonial perspectives. It then proceeds to examine some of the interconnected crises that are besetting the biosphere: growing water scarcity, ecological pressures from modern food production, resource conflicts and human displacement; species extinction; and anthropogenic climate change. The course ends by appraising the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary responses to these crises.
*Please note that module information is indicative and may change from year to year.
Assessment details
One 4,000 word essay (100%)
Learning outcomes
This module offers students a comprehensive overview of the political economy of the environment from a global perspective. In so doing, it will equip students with a detailed understanding of the concept of the Anthropocene – the era in which humanity is considered to be a primary geological force.
Through lectures, seminars and independent study, students will gain a strong knowledge of the key political economy approaches to the analysis of the environment, and they will be able to assess the merits and demerits of each of these approaches. Furthermore, the module will enable students to develop an in-depth understanding of the multiple ecological crises that are now unfolding across the biosphere – from the greenhouse effect, to ocean acidification, deforestation, and mass species extinction.
The module avoids both catastrophism and complaisance by exploring the positive steps that are being made to avert the most severe forms of environmental degradation, while at the same time illuminating the distributional effects of different forms of environmental governance. In so doing, students will arrive at a clearer view of the main beneficiaries of existing arrangements, and will thereby better understand why the most far-reaching initiatives to avoid ecosystem collapse have been circumscribed.
With these aims fulfilled, the module fosters a holistic understanding of humans’ embeddedness in, and uneven effects on, the biosphere. Through fostering this holistic understanding, students will be encouraged to think in ways that traverse the disciplinary divides between politics and economics, and the social sciences and the natural sciences. Specifically, having taken the module students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge about the history, evolution and current state of the study and research of the political economy of the environment.
- Be able to select an appropriate mix of sources to critically assess the main debates that are occurring at the interface of political economy and environmental studies.
- Have the ability to identify the main causes of ecological crisis and the main constraints on their successful resolution.
- Appraise the strengths and weaknesses of current responses to environmental degradation.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the reasoning, principles, aims, goals and instruments of the key players contributing to, and responding to, ecological crisis.
- Develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the relations between power, political economy and ecological transformation.
Teaching pattern
2 hours per week
Indicative teaching schedule
Setting the Scene
1) The Anthropocene and the Great Acceleration
Theories
2) Environmental Economics and Ecological Economics
3) Marxism and Eco-Socialist approaches
4) Ecofeminist, Decolonial and Posthumanist Perspectives
Issue Areas
5) Food and Water System Stresses
6) Resource Conflicts and Human Displacement
7) Species Extinction
Responses to Environmental Crisis
8) Intergovernmental Agreements
9) Renewable Energy, Carbon Trading and Geoengineering
10) Social Movements
Suggested reading list
Please be aware that these core texts are recommended merely as background reading and only form part of the overall reading for this module.
- Bonneuil, Christoper and Fressoz, Jean-Baptiste (2016) The Shock of the Anthropocene: The Earth, History and Us. London: Verso
- Daly, Herman E. and Farley, Joshua. (2003). Ecological Economics: Principles and Applications. London: Island Press
- Martinez-Alier, J. (2003) The Environmentalism of the Poor: A Study of Ecological Conflicts and Valuation. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar
- Moore, Jason. (2015) Capitalism in the Web of Life. New York: Verso