23
Environmental Citizenship incorporates the move ‘from care to citizenship’
(MacGregor 2004), the importance of justice (especially gender justice) and social
sustainability.
Multiculturalist theories advocate the recognition and granting of rights to cultural minorities, pointing out that the neutrality of the state enables the dominance
of the majority, hence emphasising the need for Multicultural Citizenship (Kymlicka
1995). Multicultural Environmental Citizenship includes sensitivity to conceptions
of Human-Nature relations amongst indigenous people and the incorporation of
indigenous cultures, values and people (Latta and Wittman 2012).
Globalist theories include cosmopolitanism and neoliberalism. Cosmopolitans
argue for global citizenship, the need for the protection of human rights and to prioritise global responsibilities (Beck 2006). Cosmopolitan citizenship poses the idea
that we should all consider ourselves and operate as equal members of the political
community of the cosmopolis or planet Earth. Cosmopolitan Environmental
Citizenship creates a greater sense of interconnection and interdependence on a
global scale beyond state boundaries (Beck 2010). Finally, neoliberalism considers
citizens as consumers and advocates for the importance of corporations as agents of
citizenship. It transforms citizens to Homo economicus. Neoliberal Environmental
Citizenship is expressed by sustainable consumption, green consumerism and
consumer- sensitive lifestyles.
2.4 Role of the State
Operationalising a green political philosophy, in this case green republicanism,
entails some process of contractual obligations which enables the promotion of a
sustainable society. At present, it is the state and its judicial systems which have the
authority to underpin such obligations. But the role of the state in relation to green
republicanism is always likely to reflect a tension between non-violent civil resistance against the state and its interests, for example, in differences over fossil fuel
divestments and ensuring order and stability so such contracts can be fulfilled.
Another current problem is one discussed on BBC Radio 4 on 23 May 2018.
Southern regions of the UK are likely to experience water shortages by 2050. To
avoid this situation, there are a number of possibilities:
1. Trust that people carry out obligations originating either from the state or through
local consensus.
2. Encourage local collaborative thinking to promote actions to conserve water
supplies.
3. Enforce stricter usage of water through punitive actions.
The first two are voluntary. The third is to ensure compliance. How far can a state
committed to green republican policies steer a judicious line between voluntarism
and enforcement?
2 Political Dimensions of Environmental Citizenship
Environmental Citizenship incorporates the move ‘from care to citizenship’
(MacGregor 2004), the importance of justice (especially gender justice) and social
sustainability.
Multiculturalist theories advocate the recognition and granting of rights to cultural minorities, pointing out that the neutrality of the state enables the dominance
of the majority, hence emphasising the need for Multicultural Citizenship (Kymlicka
1995). Multicultural Environmental Citizenship includes sensitivity to conceptions
of Human-Nature relations amongst indigenous people and the incorporation of
indigenous cultures, values and people (Latta and Wittman 2012).
Globalist theories include cosmopolitanism and neoliberalism. Cosmopolitans
argue for global citizenship, the need for the protection of human rights and to prioritise global responsibilities (Beck 2006). Cosmopolitan citizenship poses the idea
that we should all consider ourselves and operate as equal members of the political
community of the cosmopolis or planet Earth. Cosmopolitan Environmental
Citizenship creates a greater sense of interconnection and interdependence on a
global scale beyond state boundaries (Beck 2010). Finally, neoliberalism considers
citizens as consumers and advocates for the importance of corporations as agents of
citizenship. It transforms citizens to Homo economicus. Neoliberal Environmental
Citizenship is expressed by sustainable consumption, green consumerism and
consumer- sensitive lifestyles.
2.4 Role of the State
Operationalising a green political philosophy, in this case green republicanism,
entails some process of contractual obligations which enables the promotion of a
sustainable society. At present, it is the state and its judicial systems which have the
authority to underpin such obligations. But the role of the state in relation to green
republicanism is always likely to reflect a tension between non-violent civil resistance against the state and its interests, for example, in differences over fossil fuel
divestments and ensuring order and stability so such contracts can be fulfilled.
Another current problem is one discussed on BBC Radio 4 on 23 May 2018.
Southern regions of the UK are likely to experience water shortages by 2050. To
avoid this situation, there are a number of possibilities:
1. Trust that people carry out obligations originating either from the state or through
local consensus.
2. Encourage local collaborative thinking to promote actions to conserve water
supplies.
3. Enforce stricter usage of water through punitive actions.
The first two are voluntary. The third is to ensure compliance. How far can a state
committed to green republican policies steer a judicious line between voluntarism
and enforcement?
2 Political Dimensions of Environmental Citizenship