Theories in Environmental
Sociology
Sociological Theories
• Theory is a story about how and why events in
the universe occur.
• Sociological theories differ from
commonsensical interpretations of events in
the sense that sociologists use the tools of
reason or logic and empirical evidence to build
theories
• This is different from assumptions people
make about the world based on values, and
their own experiences or interpretations.
Sociological Theories
• This is not to claim that sociological theories
lack imperfections … they are all partial.
• Theorizing is about searching for cause and
effect relationships. Keep in mind that
correlation does not equal causation.
Sociological Theories
• A theory can
– Provide guidance for investigation
– Make people think in broader terms that
immediate relationships being investigated
– Help add new concepts or ideas to the general
framework of the theory
– Help us generate hypotheses about relationships
between concepts
Sociological Theories
• However, having a theory can also present
problems. It can
– Blind us to ideas or relationships not covered by
the theory
– Lead us to think at the wrong level of analysis for
the problem(s) being investigated
– Make us exclude possible causes.
The Birth of Environmental Sociology
• Rachel Carson’s, Silent Spring (1962)
• Murray Bookchin “social ecology” (1960s)
• Garrett Hardin Tragedy of the Commons
(1968)
• Earth Day (1970)
• UN Conference on Environment &
Development (1972)
• Catton & Dunlap late 70s HEP vs NEP
Theories in Environmental Sociology
Neo-Marxist PoliticalEconomy Theories
Ecological Marxism
Treadmill of Production
World –System Theory
Neoliberal Theories
Ecological Modernization
Theory
Second Modernity
Theories
Risk Society
Ecological Marxism
• Murray Bookchin’s social ecology
• In order to understand environmental problems we
need to seek their source in the system of inequality
humans have created.
• Emphasizes the contradictions that exist in
capitalism … contradictions that undermine the
social and environmental factors that sustains the
system
Treadmill of Production
• Allan Schnaiberg The Environment (1980)
• Human economies make withdrawals of raw
materials to make stuff with use or exchange
value and make additions in the form of
pollution or garbage.
• Aim of production is grow profits for
capitalists and investors. This has lead to
increased technology replacing labor,
increased withdrawals and additions.
Treadmill of Production
Neoliberal Theories
• Market seen as the best mechanism to
achieve important societal goals, such as
development and eradication of poverty
Ecological Modernization Theory
• Seeks to reform or modernize rather than
radically change.
• Capitalism is adaptable enough to be greened,
and the market is the best mechanism to
generate concrete environmental solutions
Second Modernity Theories:
Risk Society
• Influenced by the sociology of Max Weber
(1864-1920) … emphasis was on the
increasing rationalization of modern society
and its contradictions or irrational
consequences.
• Beck - Risks are created by social decisions,
instead of naturally occurring hazards
• Loss of faith in the institutions of modernity
• “Reflexivity” is the key element in uncovering
solutions to the problems faced by modern
societies, including environmental ones.
Final Thoughts
• The above theories often provide competing
explanations about the relationship between
human societies and the environment.
• However, they also complement each other
• As climate change becomes a reality, it will
become necessary for environmental
sociologists to improve their theoretical
models, combine them and/or develop new
ones.