1. Classical political ideologies
Liberalism
Is a political system that explains how we are governed
Include central themes of the individual, freedom, reason, justice as well as toleration and diversity
Its latest spawn was neoliberalism that rose in the 1970s
Emphasised restrictions of the economy and increased privatisation
Lead to increased globalisation
Capitalism
Based on the creation of profit
Is an economic system that explains how we produce
Economic theoretical models based on several “non-real world” assumptions that are applied to the real world
The models are mostly built on constant growth (capitalism)
A need for migration from exponential growth to sustainable growth or sustainable development

2. Environmentalism vs. Ecologism
Argues for a managerial approach to environmental problems
Based on a belief that environmental problems can be solved without fundamental changes in present values or patterns of production and consumption
NB: Problem is that it uses an approach that seeks solutions for the environmental crisis but without fundamentally questioning standard assumptions about the natural world
Ecologism
Based on a belief that a sustainable and fulfilling existence takes as fact radical changes in our relationship with the non-human natural world, and in our mode of social and political life

3. Green Ideology: Ecologism
Driven by fear that economic growth threatens both the survival of human and the planet
A result of intensified industrialisation and urbanisation
Lead to establishments of environmental movements such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth and WWF
It views economics as the enemy of ecology, materialism being a form of intellectual and spiritual corruption that results in an alienation from nature

4. Categories of Ecologism
Shallow ecologism
Environmentalists want to achieve their goals within an anthropocentric (human-centred) framework
Acknowledges the need to preserve nature but, as a means to sustain human life
Deep ecologism
Deep ecologists propose an ecocentric (nature-centred) approach
Advances the more challenging idea that the purpose of human life is to help sustain nature
Seen as the real ecologism

5. Key concepts of ecologism
Ecology
Study of the relationship amongst living organisms and their environment to try and achieve a state of harmony or balance
It formed part of political terms in 1960s because it was adopted and used by the growing green movement
Ideas about interconnectedness, holism and natural balance that went beyond a mere pressure-group-like concern for the environment
Holism
Introduced by Jan Smuts to state that the natural world could only be understood as a whole and not through its individual parts
Holism implies that understanding is gained by studying relationships between the parts

6. Key concepts of ecologism
Sustainability
Considers that both economic growth and the environment are important because resources are limited and therefore it is not possible to pursuit growth forever
Important as a guide to human policies and actions for wiser use of resources
Environmental ethics
Based on the question of our moral obligations towards future generations
Looks at approaches that seek to apply moral standards and values developed for human beings to other species and organisms

7. Key concepts of ecologism
Self-actualisation
Based on what do humans strive and live for
Has its roots in postmaterialism
as material affluence spreads, ‘quality of life’ issues and concerns tend to replace material ones, fundamentally changing the political culture and value of industrialised countries
Values the need for esteem and self-actualisation higher than material or economic needs

8. Four pillars of green politics
Ecological responsibility
Grassroots democracy
Social justice
Non-violence