Andrew Feenberg's ecological modernism
pp. 139-161
in: Andreas Michel (ed), Critical theory and the thought of Andrew Feenberg, Berlin, Springer, 2017Abstract
Andrew Feenberg has proposed a green democratic theory that aligns with his philosophy of technology. His calls move in the direction of the thought of Robyn Eckersley and John Dryzek, who, also both inspired by Frankfurt School Critical Theory, develop a critical political ecology. In this chapter, I outline Feenberg's position and suggest that his views would be complimented and productively expanded by integrating insights, among others, from Eckersley and Dryzek, that focus particularly on the global dimensions of the environmental thematic and the need, in this context, to develop a theory of democracy for the global technological and ecological risks. Given the transnational influence of technologies, any green democratic theory meant to address technological issues must be global in reach. What is needed are multidimensional, multilevel efforts that aim at positively affecting state and regional and transnational governmental bodies as well as work in transnational civil society, also even aimed at business, that create the cultural conditions for positive government and responsible individual decision making.
