Friday, 27 February 2026

 

 Environmentalism – Sustainability, Ecology & Green Politics

UPSC PSIR | Political Ideologies | Contemporary Global Relevance


1️⃣ INTRODUCTION

Environmentalism is a political ideology that prioritizes ecological balance over unlimited economic growth.

It emerged strongly in the 20th century due to:

  • Industrial pollution
  • Climate change
  • Resource depletion
  • Biodiversity loss

2️⃣ CORE PRINCIPLES

  • Sustainable development
  • Intergenerational justice
  • Limits to growth
  • Ecological balance
  • Environmental rights

3️⃣ TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTALISM

🔹 Shallow Ecology

  • Human-centered
  • Protect environment for human survival

🔹 Deep Ecology

  • Nature has intrinsic value
  • Human beings are not superior

🔹 Eco-Socialism

  • Capitalism causes ecological crisis
  • Need systemic economic change

🔹 Eco-Feminism

  • Links patriarchy with environmental destruction

4️⃣ ENVIRONMENTALISM vs LIBERALISM

  • Liberalism → Growth-oriented
  • Environmentalism → Growth with limits

5️⃣ ENVIRONMENTALISM vs MARXISM

  • Marx → Industrial productivity focus
  • Environmentalism → Critiques industrial model itself

6️⃣ KEY CONCEPT: INTERGENERATIONAL JUSTICE

Present generation must protect environment for future generations.

This expands Rawls’ idea of justice.


7️⃣ GLOBAL DIMENSION

  • Climate agreements
  • Global environmental governance
  • North–South divide

Environmental politics is now international.


8️⃣ INDIAN CONTEXT

  • Chipko Movement
  • Narmada Bachao Andolan
  • Forest Rights Act
  • Green Tribunal
  • Climate commitments

9️⃣ CRITICISMS

  • Anti-development criticism
  • Economic slowdown concerns
  • Idealism over realism

📝 MAINS QUESTIONS

  1. Discuss Environmentalism as a political ideology.
  2. Explain intergenerational justice.
  3. Is environmentalism anti-development?
  4. Environmentalism vs Marxism.

📌 QUICK REVISION MAP

  • Sustainable development
  • Deep ecology
  • Eco-socialism
  • Intergenerational justice
  • Global environmental politics

“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”

Shaktimatha Learning – PSIR Ideology Series

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