What is Environmental Sociology?: Rethinking of Paradigm Debate in the U.S.

Abstract

The emergence of environmental sociology has been strongly influenced by the social context surrounding environmental issues, reflecting the complex inter relationships between human society and the natural environment. In order to define the field of environmental sociology explicitly, the following three questions need to be answered: (1) Why did environmental sociology emerge in the late 1970s in advanced industrial countries? (2) How has the establishment of environmental sociology in the U.S. affected the content and characteristics of environmental sociology elsewhere? and (3) How has current environmental sociology evolved through its interaction with raising environmentalism and understanding of the global environmental changes?

In order to clarify environmental sociology, this paper first elucidates the diverse definitions of environmental sociology arising from the social context found in American environmentalism. Second, the paradigm debate on environmental sociology will be discussed, contrasting the sociology of environmental issues with environmental sociology. Third, future environmental sociology, including radical perspectives that are beyond the current sociology of environmental issues will be explored. Finally, the paradigm debates on environmental sociology in the U.S. relative to environmental sociology in Japan will be addressed.