Journal Title/Source
Critical Sociology
Publication Date
2021
Volume
47
Issue (if applicable)
3
Page Numbers
491-506
Document Type
Journal Article
Department
Sociology and Anthropology
Abstract
The aim of neoliberal environmentalism was to unleash the market to protect the environment; but as it turns out, things are getting worse on our way to catastrophe. Despite persistent failures, neoliberal environmentalism remains prevalent—and apparently without alternative. This paper directs focus on an often-overlooked dimension of this apparent stasis: the nexus of self and society in advanced capitalism, as shown in the linkage between neoliberal environmentalism and the autonomous ecoconsumer. Marcuse’s concept of repressive desublimation is engaged to better understand how environmentalist desire is currently being thwarted in ways that inhibit movement toward socioecological emancipation. The paper provides an illustrative example of desublimated environmentalist desire in the current recycling crisis.
Recommended Citation
Stoner, Alex, "Things are Getting Worse on Our Way to Catastrophe: Neoliberal Environmentalism, Repressive Desublimation, and the Autonomous Ecoconsumer" (2021). Journal Articles. 460.
https://commons.nmu.edu/facwork_journalarticles/460
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