Technological Solutions for Ecological Problems? Theoretical Consideration of Ecological Modernization
2018 Volume 48 Pages 89-108
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2018 Volume 48 Pages 89-108
Is confrontation between the economy and ecology out of date? The school of ecological modernization (EM) supposes that ecotechnology would enable environmental preservation without relinquishing economic growth. Such an idea is the prevailing discourse in the realm of environmental policies in advanced societies today. However, it is important to verify the theoretical availability of EM if we intend to commit ourselves to environmental issues and contribute to the theme of peace and technology. In particular, publication of The Ecological Modernisation Reader promotes public discussion on the achievements, prospects, and limits of EM.
The first section of this article describes the development of EM and discusses its theoretical feature. It is probably useful to refer to other critical standpoints such as neo-Marxism and deep ecology to recognize its technocentric approach, which tries to transcend industrial modernity. EM, which promises a moderate solution for ecological crises, is associated with the concept of sustainable development and is therefore acceptable even to business executives. Such a story reinforces my hypothesis: EM is a counter-discourse against the counter-discourse of the 1980s, when capitalism and technology were regarded as the main causes of environmental destruction.
Such an argument suggests further questions. In the second section, we investigate whether EM has absorbed anything from the theory of reflexive modernity. Typology of the weak and strong versions is also meaningful.
Theory should be accompanied by empirical verification. The third section refers to a comparative study that illustrates that Germany is closest to having the ideal type of strong EM. However, I insist that there is neither theoretical nor empirical evidence for the transition from weak EM to strong EM. It is only a typological category of environmental political modes. The program of German red-green federal government was a typical weak EM.
