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A LOOK AT ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY THROUGH CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGY THEORIES

M. L. AKKOL

Abstract

The basis of the paradigms Environmental Sociology uses roots in the 19th-century social thought. It is possible to elucidate the conceptions of the Classical Sociology theoreticians which constitute the basis for “Environmental Sociology”. Although ideas directly in relation to the environment were not included in the studies of Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber, it is possible to apply their paradigms to “Environmental Sociology”. Since Classical Sociology Theories take an important place in the basis of the Environmental Sociology thought and meaning framework, it is a correct approach to attempt to associate the sociological theories of Durkheim, Weber, and Marx with “Environmental Sociology” by reviewing them. The point which can be associated with the “environment” in the social theory of Durkheim is the fact that social solidarity and integration remain insufficient. The weakening of the individual’s bonds with the environment and nature can also be added to the weakening of the individual’s social and cultural bonds included in the anomie definition of Durkheim. Particularly, the Durkheimian paradigm is used to explain the environmental degradation and environmental change. Weber’s concepts of “Rationalisation”, “Official Rationality” and “Bureaucratic Monopoly Power” are used in the explanations of the reasons for environmental problems in Environmental Sociology. Considering Weber’s approaches together with environmental problems can be continued by adding capitalist interests. Another theoretician of Classical Sociology, Marx made an approach compatible with environmental consciousness when he mentioned “a social order which is reasonable, humane, ecologist and not alienated”. According to Marx, “capitalism” accelerates alienation and separation from nature. The humankind who has demonstrated total harmony with nature at the beginning gradually becomes distant from nature for the capitalist production and consumption system to be sustained.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgemsocial2017/33/S12.002

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