Blog #10

What is Social Ecology? What are your reactions to the readings? What forms of hierarchy are in our world today? Are these hierarchies natural? Are there any better alternatives?

Social ecology emphasizes an egalitarian and democratic philosophy for society that is without hierarchies or submission to “the market.” My reaction to the reading is that I like the idea of social ecology, and I feel that society would benefit from adopting the basic philosophy presented in the articles. I like that the Bookchin article acknowledges that social ecology exists as a context for modern developments and technology, so that these things do not preclude adoption of social ecological ideals.
Some forms of hierarchy that I see in our world today are manifested in issues as serious as the gender pay gap and as mundane as the student body elections taking place this week... However, an important hierarchy that is highlighted in the readings is the difference between American society and third-world countries. Particularly noted is how our resource consumption is not only unsustainable but excludes the participation of others in our way of life.
I feel like these hierarchies may not be natural, but that they originate from a part of our human nature. My beliefs are in line with the green value that people are innately good and cooperative, but I also think that there is something innate that makes us susceptible to temptation and driven to compete. Human nature can be contradictory and paradoxical. Perhaps hierarchies come about because of people acting on this motivation for competition, which we see in the natural world. 
I believe that there are better alternatives. The Milbrath article presents a great alternative in the New Environment Paradigm. One example presented in the Trainer reading would be for affluent countries to commit to “de-development,” but I am not sure how I feel about that term. I agree that affluent countries must make resource use sustainable, which will involve sacrificing common, “convenient” practices, but wouldn’t this process be helping society reach a higher state of ethical development?