Hum Ecol (2007) 35:645646
DOI 10.1007/s10745-006-9078-1
BOOK REVIEW
Carolyn Merchant (ed): Radical Ecology: The Search
for a Livable World. 2nd Edition
Routledge, New York, 2005. ISBN 0-415-93578-4, $22.95 (paperback). Index, 283 pp
Frank R. Thomas
Published online: 12 December 2006
# Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2006
In a world replete with ideological struggles often leading
to armed conflicts, we are reminded that not all radical
thinkers wish to attain their goals by violent means. These
are the men and women from all walks of life who have
taken a stand against the oppression of nature and by
extension, fellow human beings, who, by virtue of their
socioeconomic status, gender, and ethnicity have become
increasingly marginalized by the actions of those in power.
While social inequalities and oppression have characterized
a host of societies in the past, capitalism, through its most
recent expression, globalization, has thrown into sharp
relief the links between the domination, exploitation, and
degradation of the environment and similar processes in
society. In the words of Barbara Johnston (1997, p. 19),
Human rights and environmental crisis are inextricably
linked. With the second edition of Radical Ecology,
Carolyn Merchant expands on her original study of the
environmental crisis by highlighting the contradictions
between globalization and sustainability.
Admitting that Radical ecology lacks coherence as a
theory and as a movement, there is nevertheless consensus
amongst its adherents that the fabric of our planets diverse
environments has reached a critical stage. Even among
some conservative voices there is a feeling that unrestrained
economic growth may jeopardize their future in the short-
term given current rates of environmental disturbance and
growing discontent among members of society who are
directly affected by environmental impacts.
F. R. Thomas (*)
Pacific Studies Program, Pacific Institute of Advanced Studies in
Development and Governance (PIAS-DG),
University of the South Pacific,
Suva, Fiji
e-mail: thomas_fr@usp.ac.fj
Merchants straightforward prose is sure to appeal to a
wide audience, including students of ecology. Brief
descriptions of ecological components, such as air, water,
soils, and population serve to introduce the subject. A
chapter devoted to science and worldviews provides the
historical background for understanding the issues that
follow.
A recurring theme throughout the book is the Marxist
concept of contradiction in todays society arising from
tensions between the economic forces of production and
local ecological conditions and also from tensions between
reproduction and production. Through its various thought
perspectives and social movements, radical ecology aims at
creating new patterns of production, reproduction, and
consciousness to benefit the natural environment and the
quality of human existence. Three theoretical approaches
seek to achieve these objectives: Deep Ecology, Spiritual
Ecology, and Social Ecology.
Deep ecology proposes an ecological framework of inter-
connectedness and reciprocity to replace the seventeenth-
century scientific revolution perspective of nature operating
within a mechanistic framework. The latter worldview arose
simultaneously with and in support of early capitalism, with
nature seen as something to be controlled and exploited at
will. Spiritual ecologists call for drawing out ecological ideas
about the interconnectedness of the cosmos from the worlds
major religions, as well as from ancient and lesser-known
contemporary beliefs. Social ecologists argue that a total
transformation of political economy will best serve the
parallel needs of nature and society by reversing the
domination of nature and removing social domination. Each
of these approaches finds expression in a myriad of
interventionist groups, ranging from ecocentric Greens
willing to make deals with the establishment to ecofeminists
of all shades and color, who are critical of deep ecologists
646
neglect of social aspects. But as the work of Robyn
Eckersley and Andrew McLaughlin illustrates, some deep
ecologists have begun to undertake quite serious analyses of
social and political issues (Clark, 1998).
Merchant is optimistic in arguing that short of revolu-
tionary change, the visibility of radical environmental
movements and actions will continue to raise public
consciousness about issues enmeshed in bureaucratic
technicalities. History is replete with turning points in the
wake of social revolutions, and a new partnership with
nature becoming part of mainstream decision-making is
conceivable within our lifetime. However, much less is
certain about eliminating all forms of sexism, racism, and
ethnocentrism. Moreover, should we become successful in
ever achieving complete social justice, there is no guarantee
that this will naturally lead to environmental sustainability.
For ecologists, it is axiomatic that protecting the
environment is necessary for reducing poverty and promot-
ing peace, democracy, and human dignity. Examples of
large-scale environmental disturbance are legion. They
affect the lives of people in both industrialized and
developing nations, but with the latter bearing the brunt of
these assaults to satisfy the high consuming habits of the
First World and the rapidly growing Chinese economy with
its emerging middle class. However, we should not lose
sight of the fact that other factors play an equally important
part in maintaining poverty, such as weak social and
political institutions, bureaucratic corruption, the absence
of free markets, and a limit to the free flow of information.
The last two may be regarded as positive contributions of
the much demonized globalization process. The term itself
unfortunately carries so much negative connotation among
members of the general public that its potential benefits are
dismissed altogether. To serve the interests of the most
disadvantaged groups, there is a need for decision-makers
to show greater care and compassion in carrying out
economic policies, without necessarily sacrificing all
aspects of globalization. However, Merchant seems to have
jumped on the bandwagon in outright condemning it.
Similar views are expressed in popularized form by Jared
Diamond in his recent best-seller, Collapse (2005), where
he argues that if left unchecked, globalization will likely
lead to the downfall of contemporary nations because of its
strong ties to corporations bent on destroying the environ-
ment for profit. On the other hand, the corporate world and
its leaders might learn a lesson or two by becoming more
aware of and sensitized to some of the issues presented by
Merchant. The burgeoning field of ethics as more than an
abstraction for debate within confines of philosophy depart-
ments may yet provide paths to achieving environmental
sustainability and greater social justice.
I am less comfortable with Merchants treatment of
experimental science. Although imperfect, and certainly
Hum Ecol (2007) 35:645646
not the only paradigm for understanding nature, the
mechanistic worldview did ultimately provide several
benefits to humanity. One could cite advances in medicine
and food technology. Well-deserved criticisms directed at
the Green Revolution and genetically modified organisms,
however, are not sufficient cause for dismissing all such
research in these areas. Resounding failure before a
breakthrough is achieved often marks experimental science.
Merchant appears to confuse science per se with the people
who control it. In the end, one might even question whether
globalization and sustainability necessarily contradict each
other. How about a partnership along the lines of
Merchants call for a synthesis between ecocentrism and
environmental justice in the form of a partnership ethic? In
short, radical ecology seems to boil down to a set of ethical
dilemmas, raising questions about the nature of power
relations in society and the need to instill in leaders and
those who control the economy a greater sense of
responsibility for their actions (see Johnston, 1994), which
should go hand in hand with a respect for the environment.
Finally, isnt the dialectic discussed throughout the text an
embodiment of the inevitability of the historical process,
when in fact radical ecology is about an interventionist
approach and the need to consider free will? To her credit,
Merchant recognizes this point in her review of the
critiques of social ecology.
The major strength of this book lies in its balanced
presentation of theory, applied work, and examples drawn
from different parts of the contemporary world. However,
more could have been said about indigenous peoples
traditional environmental knowledge and practices as they
relate to issues of sustainability. Fortunately, this topic is
already well covered elsewhere.
While the text could have benefited from better
proofreading, as a summary of the current ecological crisis
and its social implications, Radical Ecology provides an
excellent overview of ideas and practices aimed at finding
solutions to very pressing issues facing the world today.
References
Clark, J. (1998). Introduction. In Zimmerman, M. E. (ed.), Environmental
Philosophy: From Animal Rights to Radical Ecology, 2nd edn,
Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, pp. 345363.
Diamond, J. (2005). Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or
Succeed, Viking, New York.
Johnston, B. R. (1994). The abuse of human environmental rights:
Experience and response. In Johnston, B. R. (ed.), Who Pays the
Price? The Sociocultural Context of Environmental Crisis, Island
Press, Washington, District of Columbia, pp. 219232.
Johnston, B. R. (1997). Introduction: Life and death matters at the end of
the millennium. In Johnston, B. R. (ed.), Life and Death Matters:
Human Rights and the Environment at the End of the Millennium,
Altamira Press, Walnut Creek, California, pp. 2191.