The Green Theory

In the recent past, a lesser known but a vital topic in International Relations has been
introduced which deals with the trans-boundary/inter-country ecological problem, known as
Green Theory.

Green IR Theory is more radical in nature compared to other theories of IR and is

inspired by factors outside the purview of IR Theory, thus increasing awareness on the
ecological blindness of IR theory (Eckersley, 2010). It came as a movement against
environmental problems which are the unforeseen byproduct of other acceptable practices.
“They are the stowaways of normal consumption” (Beck 1992:40). Green theory analysts look at
real world environmental problems differently as compared to Realism or Neoliberalism or
critical theory preachers. Realists assume constant struggle between the various member states
of the global world and don’t think environmental problems have any role in national security.
Neo liberals do acknowledge environmental challenges and want to tweak the incentive
structures in order to bring about cooperation amongst various countries (Eckersley,
2010).Critical theorists reject such solution designing which fails to take into consideration the
social and economic structures of the country. Green theory analysts base their line of study on
non-human nature, needs of future generations and ecological risk distribution.

Green Theory does contribute to our understanding the world politics and environmental
issues by way of Green Political Theory which has three main features namely Eco centric
ethics, Decentralization of Power and limits to Growth. These features reconstruct the world
politics keeping the environment in clear view. Green Theory talks about the need of political
transformation worldwide. It does try to address and respond to the environmental challenges
by suggesting ecological modernization and a shared solution designing. But these solutions
need to be propagated across the world on a global scale, which has not been seen yet.

Green theory suggests that through environmental governance around the globe, we
should be targeting to respect all life forms and not only protect the current human society but
also other forms of life which are crucial to main the balance of bio diversity which in turn is
essential to human life survival only. Green theory’s analysts argue on the fact that humans are
the most complex and developed species on the mankind, henceforth it is our moral duty to
respect all the other life forms coexisting along with us. Mankind should not be showing his
human chauvinism where it would be destroying or using the earth’s natural resources
injudiciously for his own personal development leaving nothing for the other forms (Barry, 1992).

As per Green theory, there have been environmental injustices prevalent across the
globe wherein few of the privileged communities, societies or nations try to capture the larger
share of the environment and exploit it fully for their technological advancement and try to justify
the same leaving very little share for the other under-developed or lesser privileged nations.
This has been majorly found wherein the developed nations around the world leave a larger
carbon footprint on the globe and then preach and force to reduce the carbon footprint of the
developing and the under-developed nations of the world. Therefore one of the basic aims of
the Green Theory is to reduce the ecological risks across the world and also to ensure that fair
share of the environment and resources are given to all the communities preventing the unfair
distribution resources to lesser communities (Goodwin, 1992).
 Thus we can see that in order to implement the Green International Theory on actual
basis, it is an absolute must that all the parties, nations and communities affected by the
decisions and risks should also be a part of making the IR theory in one way or the other. Along
with this Green theory scholars also emphasize that since environmental crisis is a shared
problem, therefore the solution designing should also be a shared responsibility (Trainer, 1985).
The nations need to conduct a collaborative research, build trusts and work on the common
environmental goals to conserve the depleting resources and also maintain their technological
advancement hand in hand. The Green International Relations theory has had significant
changes in the recent past and is now and all together a new and a separate stream of this IR
theory.

References

Essays, UK. (November 2018). The Green International Relations Theory Politics Essay.
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