Original scientific paper
CONTEMPORARY ANARCHISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS:MURRAY BOOKCHINS SOCIAL ECOLOGY
Nikša Dubreta
; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Zagreb
Abstract
The theoretical references as found in reflections on the sources of environmental crisis within contemporary anarchism can be refered to Murray Bookchins concept of social ecology. Highlighted is the importance of Bookchins assertion that issues of dominance and hierarchy among men precede the dominance of mankind over the nature. They cannot be defined as features immanent to the nature itself, but should be viewed as specifically social issues. In this sense, Bookchins social ecology represents a comprehensive social criticism oriented mostly at the criticism of developed capitalism. Bookchin considers capitalism a system in which hierarchy and dominance reach their most developed form capable of overwhelming all areas of individual and social experience. It is also stressed that Bookchin – from the social and philosophical point of view and refering to the anarcho–libertanian tradion – attempts to define the notion of freedom as a spontaneous tendency in the evolution of nature that can be realised only in the evolution of the “other nature”. Finally, the questions are raised of how Bookchins concept of social ecology can be referred to numerous anarchist and environmental groups and movements, to what degree it was inspiring in their social practices, but also to what degree their versatility can be explained by this concept.
Keywords
anarchism; dominance; hierarchy; social ecology
Hrčak ID:
141643
URI
Publication date:
15.5.1998.
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