Social Ecology

Social ecology is a critical social theory founded by Murray Bookchin. Social ecology sets out the argument that almost all ecological problems are rooted in social problems; the fundamental misunderstanding of human relationships with other human beings and therefore with nature.

Social Ecology states that a hierarchically ordered society will always produce conflict and ecological problems. Only though accepting principles of radical democracy, true human equality, and the complex nature of relationships between humans, and between humans and ecology can environmental issues be resolved in the long term. As a body of ideas, social ecology envisions a moral economy that moves beyond scarcity and hierarchy, toward a world that reharmonizes human communities with the natural world, while celebrating diversity, creativity and freedom.