Green democracy

Abstract

A recurring feature of green movements is their emphasis on democracy, but what do greens mean exactly when they contemplate democracy? In this chapter, I delineate a green democratic imaginary that enables and shapes discussions of democracy between greens and is characterized by six dimensions: decentralization, inclusion, passion, participation, protest, and rupture. I highlight the connections and contradictions of these dimensions and their non-uniform appearance in relation to various green movements, including Earth First!, Extinction Rebellion, and Fridays for Future. I conclude by considering the potential of this green democratic imaginary to provoke a political and socio-economic transformation toward sustainability. The aim of this contribution is to provide a framework that can be tested and refined through further research and to make it easier both to grasp the democratic designs of environmental movements and to seize their potential.