The character of ecology

Contrary to many contemporary readings of ecological thought, the internal structure of both the political beliefs and philosophy is immensely complex and tangled. Existing typologies neither pay sufficient attention to this internal complexity, nor to the problematic and tense relationship of the philosophical ideas and political aspirations. All analyses of these questions are handicapped to some degree by a resistance to classification within the ecology movement itself. However, an analysis of the various ecological beliefs reveals a typology which both shows affinities with aspects of traditional ideologies, and also illustrates a cross cutting of familiar ideological loyalties. This typology does not offer any placebo to these dilemmas. Conversely it charts the subtle shifts in meaning and allegiance between various contributions to ecological thought. Distinctions within the typology are made for heuristic purposes; they are not hard and fast exclusive dichotomies. There is a subtle ‘shading over’ of concepts through a spectrum of judgements and positions. Thus, differences are not wholly exclusive. At times they represent slight but significant shifts of emphasis. The typology thus displays the internal complexity of ecological thought and consequently exhibits its character as a movement.