New Books in Philosophy

Omar Dahbour, "Ecosovereignty: A Political Principle for the Environmental Crisis" (Routledge, 2024)

Mar 1, 2025

Omar Dahbour, a philosophy professor at Hunter College, specializes in political philosophy and global ethics. In this discussion, he introduces the concept of ecosovereignty, arguing it redefines sovereignty and self-determination for tackling today's environmental crisis. He critiques traditional political theories for their inadequacy in addressing ecological challenges and explores themes of food sovereignty and identity in conflict zones. Dahbour emphasizes the need for political theorists to engage with environmental issues and advocates for sustainable governance approaches.

01:07:10

Episode guests

Omar Dahbour

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The podcast highlights the inadequacy of traditional political concepts in addressing the complexities of the contemporary environmental crisis.

Omar Dahbour introduces eco-sovereignty as a principle allowing peoples to manage their natural environments, challenging conventional views of state power.

The discussion emphasizes the need for ecological equity in environmental justice, intertwining rights to resources with sustainable practices for communities.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Political Philosophy

The podcast discusses the inadequacy of traditional political philosophy concepts in addressing contemporary environmental issues. The speaker argues that the vocabulary used, which emerged under different social conditions, hinders effective discourse regarding the environmental crisis. By highlighting the need for new concepts like eco-sovereignty, the discussion promotes a reconstruction of political thought to better reflect global ecological challenges. Extractivism is identified as a central issue, with an emphasis on how historical political theories have overlooked the implications of resource depletion.

Intro

4min

Bridging Philosophy and Environmentalism

14min

Reevaluating Political Philosophy in Light of Environmental Crisis

3min

Food Sovereignty and Political Movements

10min

Rethinking Territorial Rights and Peoplehood

4min

Identity and Belonging in Conflict Zones

2min

Redefining Sovereignty: The Framework of Eco-Sovereignty

25min

Part of what makes the challenges that collectively are called the “environmental crisis” so difficult is that the vocabulary we deploy in thinking and discussing the issues emerged under social conditions that are far removed from our present. The familiar idiom of nation states, borders, jurisdiction, and so on seems inadequate for addressing a crisis that concerns global conditions. It’s plausible to think that a cogent response to the environmental crisis will require a reconstruction of the conceptual tools of social and political theory.

In his new book, Ecosovereignty: A Political Principle for the Environmental Crisis (Routledge 2024), Omar Dahbour develops new understandings of the concepts of sovereignty, territory, peoplehood, and self-determination, all with a view toward building a case for the principle according to which peoples have a right to protect and maintain their natural environments.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/philosophy

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.

New Books in Philosophy

Omar Dahbour, "Ecosovereignty: A Political Principle for the Environmental Crisis" (Routledge, 2024)

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Evolution of Political Philosophy

Eco-Sovereignty and its Implications

Challenges of Extractivism

Redefining Environmental Justice

The Role of Local Governance

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts