From planetary to societal boundaries : an argument for collectively defined self-limitation
Brand, Ulrich (University of Vienna. Department of Political Science)
Muraca, Barbara (University of Oregon. Department of Philosophy and Environmental Studies Program)
Pineault, Éric (Université du Québec à Montréal. Département de Sociologie)
Sahakian, Marlyne (University of Geneva. Department of Sociology)
Schaffartzik, Anke (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. Institute of Social Ecology (Austria))
Novy, Andreas (Vienna University of Economics and Business. Department of Socio-Economics)
Streissler, Christoph (Chamber of Labor)
Haberl, Helmut (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. Institute of Social Ecology (Austria))
Asara, Viviana (Vienna University of Economics and Business. Department of Socio-Economics)
Dietz, Kristina (University of Kassel. Institute of Political Science)
Lang, Miriam (Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar. Departamento de Estudios Ambientales y de Sostenibilidad)
Kothari, Ashish (Kalpavriksh and Vikalp Sangam)
Smith, Tone (Vienna University of Economics and Business. Department of Socio-Economics)
Spash, Clive (Vienna University of Economics and Business. Department of Socio-Economics)
Brad, Alina (University of Vienna. Department of Political Science)
Pichler, Melanie (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. Institute of Social Ecology (Austria))
Plank, Christina (University of Vienna. Department of Political Science)
Velegrakis, Giorgos (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Department of History and Philosophy of Science)
Jahn, Thomas (Institute for Social-Ecological Research (Germany))
Carter, Angela V. (University of Waterloo. Department of Political Science)
Huan, Qingzhi (Peking University)
Kallis, Giorgos (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Martínez Alier, Joan (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Riva, Gabriel Vicente (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto Rio de Janeiro e Vale do Cricare)
Satgar, Vishwas (University of the Witwatersrand)
Teran Mantovani, Emiliano (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Williams, Michelle (University of the Witwatersrand)
Wissen, Markus (Berlin School of Economics and Law. Department of Business and Economics)
Görg, Christoph (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. Institute of Social Ecology (Austria))

Date:	2021
Abstract:	The planetary boundaries concept has profoundly changed the vocabulary and representation of global environmental issues. We bring a critical social science perspective to this framework through the notion of societal boundaries and aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of the social nature of thresholds. We start by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of planetary boundaries from a social science perspective. We then focus on capitalist societies as a heuristic for discussing the expansionary dynamics, power relations, and lock-ins of modern societies that impel highly unsustainable societal relations with nature. While formulating societal boundaries implies a controversial process ‒ based on normative judgments, ethical concerns, and socio-political struggles ‒ it has the potential to offer guidelines for a just, social-ecological transformation. Collective autonomy and the politics of self-limitation are key elements of societal boundaries and are linked to important proposals and pluriverse experiences to integrate well-being and boundaries. The role of the state and propositions for radical alternative approaches to well-being have particular importance. We conclude with reflections on social freedom, defined as the right not to live at others' expense. Toward the aim of defining boundaries through transdisciplinary and democratic processes, we seek to open a dialogue on these issues.
Note:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-M
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Capitalism ; Critical social science ; Planetary boundaries ; Self-limitation ; Social-ecological transformations ; Societal boundaries
Published in:	Sustainability: science, practice, & policy, Vol. 17, Issue 1 (2021) , p. 264-291, ISSN 1548-7733

DOI: 10.1080/15487733.2021.1940754

29 p, 4.9 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles