An Ideological Discussion on the Role of the State on the Ecological Crisis

Abstract

The ecological crisis that we face has reached to magnitudes which in the next decade can severely affect our conditions of life. So much that even the era we live in, is proposed to be called Anthropocene after the name of our species caused such a great planetary transformation. The daily increasing severity of the ecological crisis, has brought forward the importance of the role of state confronting the ecologic crisis. Hobbes’ strong state versus Locke’s limited state ideas are the fundamental philosophical sources on ecological discussions about role of the state. On the other hand, passiveness and reluctance of the state to take required actions against the ecological crisis indicates that the real function of the state is not being considered right. This study aims to clarify the position of the state in relation to ecological problems on the axis of green political thought and argues that the liberal state is doomed to fail in the face of the ecological crisis.

Keywords

Ecological Crisis, Social Contract Theory, State, Green Political Thought, Eco-Marxism

Citation

Tan Gülcan, Duygu, "An Ideological Discussion on the Role of the State on the Ecological Crisis", International Relations, Volume 13, Issue 59, 2018, pp. 49-63, DOI: 10.33458/uidergisi.523829

Affiliations

• Duygu TAN GÜLCAN, Dr., Department of Social Environmental Sciences, Ankara University