Ideology Critique for the Environmental Social Sciences: What Reproduces the Treadmill of Production?

in Nature and Culture
Author:
Ryan Gunderson Miami University gunderrm@miamioh.edu

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3167/nc.2017.120304
Keywords:
critical theory; environmental policy; environmental sociology; environmental studies; Frankfurt School; immanent critique; Marx
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Abstract

Environmental social scientists should analyze ideologies that reproduce ecologically unsustainable societies through the method of ideology critique. Ideology refers to ideas and practices that conceal contradictions through the legitimation and/or reification of the social order. Ideology critique is a method that allows the researcher to unmask systemic contradictions concealed by ideology. While the primary purpose of this project is to revisit and revise conceptual and methodological tools for the environmental social sciences, I provide examples of ideologies that may aid in the reproduction of the “treadmill of production” or the expansionistic production cycle that accelerates resource use and pollution.

Contributor Notes

Ryan Gunderson is an assistant professor of sociology and social justice studies in the Department of Sociology and Gerontology at Miami University. His research interests include environmental sociology, social theory, political economy, animal studies, and the sociology of technology. Ryan has published articles in Agriculture and Human Values, Environmental Sociology, European Journal of Social Theory, Journal of Cleaner Production, Organization & Environment, and other journals and has received paper awards from the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society and the American Sociological Association. Email: gunderrm@miamioh.edu.

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Nature and Culture

Cover Nature and Culture
Article Category:
Research Article
Page Count:
27
Keywords:
critical theory; environmental policy; environmental sociology; environmental studies; Frankfurt School; immanent critique; Marx
Print Publication Date:
01 Dec 2017
Online Publication Date:
01 Dec 2017
Copyright:
© Berghahn Books 2017

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