Re-conceptualizing (environmental) sociology

Abstract

Despite decades of activity, environmental sociology has not yet achieved its original goal of reorienting the discipline to account for human–ecosystem interdependence. Here, I review critical assessments of the status of efforts in sociology, and beyond, to understand and communicate about socio-environmental processes. I argue that meaningful advances in environmental sociology are not possible without a more fundamental re-conceptualization of sociology and its core. With reference to Norbert Elias’ work on relations among the sciences, I show that sociology’s disciplinary isolation has been a significant obstacle to advancement. Situating sociology and its subject matter among adjacent sciences and theirs reveals fundamental premises, suggests alternative core concepts, and forms the basis of a general theory of socio-environmental processes, all conspicuously absent to date. I provide an overview of the concepts and theory, offer a visual model to convey it, and conclude by suggesting possible implications for the social sciences.