Green Political Thought

This highly acclaimed introduction to green political thought is now available in a new edition, having been fully revised and updated to take into account the areas which have grown in importance since the third edition was published.
Andrew Dobson describes and assesses the political ideology of 'ecologism', and compares this radical view of remedies for the environmental crisis with the 'environmentalism' of mainstream politics. He examines the relationship between ecologism and other political ideologies, the philosophical basis of ecological thinking, the potential shape of a sustainable society, and the means at hand for achieving it.
New to this edition: analysis of an intellectual and political 'anti-environment' backlash
an account of sustainability in ecological thought
the effect of globalization on ecologism
ecological citizenship
expanded bibliography.


Green Political Thought remains the starting point for all students, academics and activists who want an introduction to green political theory.

Introduction Part 1: Thinking about Ecologism 1. Sustainable Societies 2. Reasons to Care for the Environment 3. Crisis and its Political-Strategic Consequences 4. Universality and Social Change 5. Lessons from Nature 6. Left and Right: Communism and Capitalism 7. Historical Specificity 8. Conclusion Part 2: Philosophical Foundations 9. Ethics: A Code of Conduct 10. Ethics: A State of Being 11. Anthropocentrism 12. Hybridity Part 3: The Sustainable Society 13. Limits to Growth 14. Possible Positions 15. More Problems with Growth 16. Questioning Consumption 17. Energy 18. Trade and Travel 19. Work 20. Bioregionalism 21. Agriculture 22. Diversity 23. Decentralization and its Limits Part 4: Strategies for Green Change 24. Democracy and Authoritarianism 25. Action Through and Around the Legislature 26. Lifestyle 27. Communities 28. Direct Action 29. Fiscal Incentives and Ecological Citizenship 30. Class 31. Conclusion Part 5: Ecologism and Other Ideologies 32. Liberalism 33. Conservatism 34. Socialism 35. Feminism 36. Conclusion