Ecological Imperialism a new level in the Domination

Ecological Imperialism – a new level in the Domination of Nature Postfordist Relationships with Nature and Adornos Theory of Non-Identity Christoph Goerg, UFZ-Leipzig UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle in the Helmholtz Association

Theses: • There is a need for a broader understanding of the role of societal relationships with nature in history ð critical theory of Theodor W. Adorno • Recent forms of ecological imperialism are connected not only with growing global domination and violence, but also with technical, juridical and practical measures directed towards the domination of nature ð postfordist relationships with nature UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle in the Helmholtz Association Christoph Goerg CNS-Anniv. Conf. Toronto 2005 2

Ecological Imperialism Empire/Imperialism requires rethinking of conventional environmental politics (regarding regime-formation/ cooperation) – appropriation of natural resources for capitalist accumulation – power relations: undermining traditional patterns of resource use – global forms of domination, inscribed in International Institutions and Organizations (WTO, WB etc. ) – violence and war as a measure of domination and as a symptom of social crises ð end of cooperative strategies? ð linear tendency towards (self-)destruction? UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle in the Helmholtz Association Christoph Goerg CNS-Anniv. Conf. Toronto 2005 3

Neo-Imperialism – an end to neoliberalism? • Unilateralism and war – indicators for an end of multilateral, neoliberal Globalization? 1. Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) from the beginning shaped by the interests of dominant national states 1. changing strategies of the US-Government 2. struggles about International Regulation between dominant states and at the same time a need for defending their common interest 1. competition-cooperation paradox 3. Environmental action possible under capitalist conditions ð ð rethinking global institutional regulations rethinking the role of nature in history UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle in the Helmholtz Association Christoph Goerg CNS-Anniv. Conf. Toronto 2005 4

Societal relationships with nature (1) following Adorno: • interconnections between society and nature are constitutive for each of them • at the same time society and nature are non-identical with each other – dialectical relationships in a strict sense • mediation between them through a historical process of the “dialectic of enlightenment” – growing domination of nature and its failure (for both: nature and society) • does not mean: to get really control over nature • subsumption under capitalist conditions (“Inwertsetzung” – valorization) UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle in the Helmholtz Association Christoph Goerg CNS-Anniv. Conf. Toronto 2005 5

Societal relationships with nature (2) recent experiences: • subsumption neglects the “non-identity of nature” – ecological risks, costs, uncertainty, insecurity, etc. – modern version of the “revolt of nature” – “nature strikes back” • preventive action to avoid/minimize risks and costs – trying to enhance control over nature in a reflexive way: respect uncertainty to reinforce subsumption ð “ecological modernization” as a new step in the “dialectic of enlightenment” ð reflexive domination of nature in Postfordism UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle in the Helmholtz Association Christoph Goerg CNS-Anniv. Conf. Toronto 2005 6

Postfordist relationships with nature Contradictions and contestations: Conflicts: Contradictions: • about the meaning of ecological problems • about the shaping of livelihood conditions and nutrients • at global, national and local level • subsumption creates new dependency • valorization and costs: not per se rational (for capitalism) • control and risks: return of “non -dominated” nature ð conflicts in shaping societal relationships with nature ð growing uncertainty, insecurity and dependency UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle in the Helmholtz Association Christoph Goerg CNS-Anniv. Conf. Toronto 2005 7

Example: Genetic resources and the loss of Biodiversity • inextricable mix of – global environmental problem – international distributional conflict about economic valuable resources – local livelihood conditions (regarding agriculture, health etc. ) • Convention on Biological Diversity: – not an efficient instrument for species protection/nature conservation – weak instrument, dominated by other agreements (i. p. WTO-TRIPS) and strong national governments (USA) – neoliberal strategies inscribed – not only external clash with WTOTRIPS ð insufficient action against the loss of BD ð reinforces valorization UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle in the Helmholtz Association Christoph Goerg CNS-Anniv. Conf. Toronto 2005 8

Conflict structures in Biodiv Governance global-local dimension (global discourses vs local management strategies) national dimension (National Governments vs local communities/Indigenous Peoples) north-south dimension (High-Tech- vs Megadiv-countries) stakeholders Sectoral dimension (business, environmental NGOs, social movements etc) (trade liberalisation, agriculture and environmental issues) UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle in the Helmholtz Association Christoph Goerg CNS-Anniv. Conf. Toronto 2005 9

Lessons from Biodiversity politics: • Biodiversity/genetic resources subsumed under capitalist/neoliberal strategies (valorization) – not only an economical, but also a scientific and technical process – ignores non-identity and therefore produces risk and destruction • cooperative environmental politics important and functional for neoimperialism – Imperialist strategies not only exercised by means of violence and war, but also through scientists, lawyers, NGOs and others – contested: resistance on all levels - scientific struggles, alternative PRinterpretations, self-organization of weaker actors, etc. ð new level in the subsumption = domination of nature UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle in the Helmholtz Association Christoph Goerg CNS-Anniv. Conf. Toronto 2005 10

Conclusions: • institutions matter – historical phases, no linear development • no absolute power – conflicts and resistance inscribed in national states and international institutions • not necessarily self-destructive – environmental action possible under capitalist/neo-imperialist conditions • highly selective – subsumption of nature, neglecting nonidentity and producing new risk/dangers ð no hope regarding the acknowledgement of the “Non -Identity of Nature” ð “dialectic of enlightenment” ongoing UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle in the Helmholtz Association Christoph Goerg CNS-Anniv. Conf. Toronto 2005 11