Eco-socialism emerged in the 1970s as a response to the growing global environmental movement of the 1960s (O’Connor 1998). By the 1980s, it had become a critical theory within the IR discipline, questioning the effects of capitalism on the environment and human well-being (Saurin 1995). Eco-socialism posits that environmental degradation is a result of unequal global socioeconomic relations, and aims to create a world free from exploitation and inequality. This article delves into how eco-socialism defines and addresses environmental issues caused by capitalism.
Derived from Marxist thinkers, eco-socialism, also known as ‘social ecology,’ merges socialist and environmental ideologies (Löwy 2021; Saito 2021). Key figures like Murray Bookchin and James O’Connor have shaped this theory, emphasizing the importance of human interaction with the environment. Eco-socialists challenge the conventional definition of the environment, advocating for a broader understanding that includes human involvement and impacts on the environment (Saurin 1995).
Eco-socialism highlights the role of human agency in global environmental degradation. Capitalism, with its focus on wealth accumulation, exploits both environmental and human resources, leading to environmental pollution and social inequalities (O’Connor 1988; Spence 2000). The process of production under capitalism results in environmental degradation, while the process of exchange perpetuates socio-economic disparities among laborers (Terreblanche 2018).
Laborers involved in production extract resources and create goods, but they often do not benefit from their work as capitalists reap the profits (O’Connor 1988). The unequal distribution of goods in the exchange process further exacerbates societal inequalities (Terreblanche 2018). Eco-socialists argue that the capitalist system, by privatizing resources and labor, perpetuates exploitation and environmental harm worldwide (O’Connor 1998).
Furthermore, the global environmental movement, comprising laborers and activists, seeks to challenge capitalist systems that degrade the environment and exploit labor (O’Connor 1998). By raising awareness and mobilizing labor unions and other social movements, eco-socialists aim to dismantle capitalism and establish a more equitable and sustainable socio-economic framework (Löwy 2018).
Ultimately, eco-socialism envisions a world where labor and the environment coexist harmoniously, free from exploitation and degradation. By advocating for systemic change and collective action, this theory aims to achieve a more just and sustainable society for all (O’Connor 1998).
