Environmental sociology between classical sociological tradition and the new ecological paradigm

Abstract

The author discusses the theoretical and methodological basis of environmental sociology, in relation to the debate between proponents of the classical sociological tradition (Frederick Buttel) and the new ecological paradigm (Riley Dunlap, William Catton). Authors analyse whether the works of the three key representatives of classical sociological tradition (Durkheim, Marx and Weber) are related with environmental sociology and determine the nature of these relationships. It is concluded that the environmental sociology can rely on the revised classical sociological postulates with correction of western centrism and deconstruction of the basic terms and concepts that involve the relationship between society and the environment as well as the opening to the other social and natural sciences.