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Against eco-authoritarianism and ecomodernism: Towards a critique of ‘planetary’ governmentality and fantasies of steering

Author

Listed:
  • Márk Horváth

    (Institute of Fine Arts and Art Theory, 72314Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Hungary)

  • Adam Lovasz

    (Philosophy Department, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)

Abstract

Contemporary society is dominated by the reality of the Anthropocene ecological crisis. In a certain subset of the ecopolitical literature, however, this topic is framed as a problem of governance. Supposedly, the unintended consequences of numerous micro-level human actions can be addressed by macro-level government interventions. Such discourses of eco-governmentality are informed by an emphasis upon the ‘planetary’ and the desirability of political centralisation. Our article seeks to critically engage with both the notion of a supposedly ‘planetary’ community of interests, and also reject the idea of global eco-governmentality. In our view, not only does the misguided emphasis on global ecological governance oversimply the planetary predicament, obscuring differences between cultures and social power structures; but it also runs the risk of obviating local democracy and could also lead to an ecologically legitimated undemocratic global technocracy. Instead of centralisation, further decentralisation could be key to both thinking and acting ‘glocally’, without expecting too much from political systems. We make the case against eco-authoritarianism and also reject ecomodernism. Recent critiques relating to the pitfalls of ecomodernism can help us construct a more inclusive, bottom-up form of ecopolitics.

Suggested Citation

  • Márk Horváth & Adam Lovasz, 2025. "Against eco-authoritarianism and ecomodernism: Towards a critique of ‘planetary’ governmentality and fantasies of steering," Environmental Values, , vol. 34(2), pages 144-166, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envval:v:34:y:2025:i:2:p:144-166
    DOI: 10.1177/09632719241305718
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:sae:envval:v:22:y:2013:i:2:p:241-259 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Johan Rockström & Joyeeta Gupta & Dahe Qin & Steven J. Lade & Jesse F. Abrams & Lauren S. Andersen & David I. Armstrong McKay & Xuemei Bai & Govindasamy Bala & Stuart E. Bunn & Daniel Ciobanu & Fabric, 2023. "Safe and just Earth system boundaries," Nature, Nature, vol. 619(7968), pages 102-111, July.
    3. repec:sae:envval:v:24:y:2015:i:3:p:345-366 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. repec:sae:envval:v:22:y:2013:i:2:p:217-239 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Cindy Isenhour, 2016. "Unearthing human progress? Ecomodernism and contrasting definitions of technological progress in the Anthropocene," Economic Anthropology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 3(2), pages 315-328, June.
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