Research On Ulrich Brand’s Critical Theory Of Political Ecology

Ulrich Brand’s critical analysis of green capitalism and the imperial mode of living and basic propositions on social-ecological transformation constitute his relatively complete critical theory of political ecology,trying to unite the global green left,surpass "green capitalism" and open up a new way to solve the global ecological crisis.Studying Brand’s critical theory of political ecology will help us correctly understand and deeply grasp the political and economic essence of green capitalism dominated by European and American society,and provide some reference for the construction of socialist ecological civilization with Chinese characteristics in the new era.The emergence of Brand’s critical theory of political ecology has a specific era background and ideological source.The continuous deterioration of global ecology and the rise of the green movement after the capitalist industrial revolution have attracted Brand’s attention to ecological issues;today’s realistic dilemma of coexisting multiple global crises and the development of green economy strategies led by European and American societies are the starting points of Brand’s entire theoretical system.Gramsci’s hegemony theory,Frankfurt’s critical theory,French regulatory theory,political ecology and ecological Marxism provide ideological basis for the formation of Brand’s critical theory of political ecology.Brand’s critical theory of political ecology has a rigorous logical composition.Brand’s critical analysis of green capitalism is a response to the rise of green growth and green economy strategies in European and American societies.It is the starting point of Brand’s entire theoretical system.Brand’s critical analysis of the imperial mode of living is the core concept running through of Brand’s entire theoretical system,which is of great significance for a deep understanding of the green economy strategy and the essence of green capitalism and the root causes of the global ecological crisis.Brand put forward the basic proposition of social ecological transformation on the basis of critical analysis of green capitalism and the imperial mode of living,which is the practical concept of Brand’s entire theoretical system.Brand’s critical theory of political ecology has its own value and limitations.The value of Brand’s critical theory of political ecology is mainly reflected in the exposure of the economic and political nature of the green trend dominated by European and American societies,the inheritance and application of Marx’s historical materialism,and the enrichment and development of the theoretical research of ecological Marxism.At the same time,due to Brand’s own limitations and the constraints of the social and historical situation,Brand’s critical theory of political ecology also has certain limitations,which is mainly manifested in the lack of in-depth analysis of the inherent contradictions of capitalism and its conflict levels,as well as the lack of normative concepts and measures needed for the theory of transformation.Brand’s critical theory of political ecology,as an ecological civilization theory,provides new ideas for solving the global ecological crisis,and also provides some enlightenment for the construction of socialist ecological civilization in China in the new era.Firstly,we should be vigilant and prevent the erosion of Western imperial lifestyle on our society;secondly,we should actively participate in and lead the ecological transformation of global society,and actively participate in international ecological security governance and cooperation.