Lecture 4: Theory – Beyond government Flashcards
What is ecological modernization?
technology-based and innovation-oriented approach to environmental policy. Encompasses all measures taken to foster eco-innovation and diffusion.
Innovations from within our current socio-economic system
It’s about combining economy and ecology: not against but with capitalism. Diffusion through market mechanisms.
What is a difference between Ecological Modernization and the neoliberal logic?
EM focuses more on innovation and uses the market based instruments for the innovation. Neo-liberal turn is more about the efficient results of market based instruments.
What are benefits of ecological modernization?
- Big environmental improvements
- uses expertise of market parties
- diffussion, harmonization and learning triggers global change
› makes companies, economies and countries more competitive
What are cons of EM?
Power imbalances: willingness: some countries can’t do this
* Will government we able to create enough push. Certain moment lobbies, countries.
* Not all things have technological solutions
o Biodiversity, soil erosion
* Fast enough or not? Dilemma of the N-curve
* Growth can go so fast, the market can’t keep up
Chris explained that we also have to move beyond industrial reforms as intrinsic motors of change. Why and how?
Change is not only economic and technical, but also socially mediated and induced with social conflicts and diversity.
More radical and fundamental socio-economic change might be needed
How does change happen in a transitional way? use self-organisation and co evolution in the answer?
Fundamental transformation from one dynamic equilibrium to another. Has to do with self organisation: new patterns emerge out of the many small
actions and interactions by people without anyone steering them. Co-evolution: interrelatedness - innovation in one sector resonates with those in others.
What’s the con with how theory in relation to governance renewal?
- in theory it’s called a ‘restless search’ or ‘trial and error’, while we have all kinds of disasters, ecosystems and health. That is risky
- theory is not that clear because of theoretical plurality –> there are various different and incomparable theoretical proposals and ideological foundations on what governance should be.
Explain how the move to relativism opens the scope for approaches.
Based on making sense and alternative values and perceptions
(communicative turn)
- Based on adapting to unique local circumstances and opinions
(decentralization)
- Based on using the expression of individual interests in markets
(neoliberal turn)
- Based on seeing change not as simply planned, but as
incentivized and enabled through adaptive policies, learning and
social transformation (ecological modernization and transition
management)
Explain the neoliberal turn again.
The market is a machine that creates the best solutions without human intervention. What is considered rational is based on individual preferences within market.
What are benefits of ‘smart regulations’ of EM?
o Create or support markets for domestic innovative industries
o Make that trendsetters have benefits after regulation forces others to also adopt changes
o Makes things predictable / fair
o Give internal support in companies for technological innovation
o Consumers have to accept the change.
