Ecological Modernisation as Cultural Politics

Abstract

The discourse coalition of ecological modernization is examined. Contemporary environmental politics is dominated by a policy- or regulation-oriented discourse of ecological modernization. Three ideal-typical interpretations of ecological modernization are discussed: institutional learning, technocratic project, & cultural politics. Each is a social construction that advances particular preferences for the future of society, but their simultaneous existence leads to the inevitable conclusion that the environmental crisis cannot be taken at face value but must be deconstructed & then reassembled. A cultural politics that reveals the social & cultural consequences of adopting any of the interpretations of ecological modernization is needed to open unfettered debate on the environmental problematic. 37 References. D. Generoli