The Green and the Good

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2023-06-22

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en

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Green republicanism consists of an effective synergy between republicanism and green political theory, facing contemporary climatic crises while maintaining liberty in this transition. The bond between theories suggests an intrinsic linkage between them. However, reflection on this bond between green political theory and republicanism is sparse and this fundamental notion of synergy has received relatively little scrutiny. Nor is its effectiveness towards green republican societal ends apparent. What does this bond consist of and is it equally green and republican in its nature? The seemingly green dominance within the tradition gives rise to suspicions about the role republicanism plays. This thesis aims to test this bond and uncover its elements by reconstructing green republicanism through a more value-driven Aristotelian conception of republicanism. The conception of republicanism used is analyzed and a suitable alternative is proposed. This inquiry into green republicanism and its constitutive elements sheds light on two inconsistencies. First, the liberty conception within the tradition can be considered incoherent with motivations of freedom, virtue and the conception of the good they present. Liberty as nondomination seems minimally suitable for green republicanism. Second, the green republican conception of the good is not a unitary principle that is green and republican. Instead, it is thinly defined in terms of republicanism and fully defined regarding green political theory. Two solutions are offered. Firstly, green republicans could adopt a conception of liberty as virtuous self-mastery. Secondly, their conception of the good may be unified and a green republican good offered.

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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen

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