
A sociology of environmental representation
Author(s) -
Magnus Boström,
Ylva Uggla
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
environmental sociology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.881
H-Index - 16
ISSN - 2325-1042
DOI - 10.1080/23251042.2016.1213611
Subject(s) - representation (politics) , sociology , variety (cybernetics) , embeddedness , epistemology , environmental governance , politics , relevance (law) , corporate governance , environmental sociology , reflexivity , environmental studies , social science , computer science , political science , law , artificial intelligence , finance , economics , philosophy
The environment cannot plead its own case but must be represented. The aim of this paper is to elaborate on the concept of representation and demonstrate its relevance for environmental sociology. Drawing on Pitkin’s classic work on representation, we discuss representation as both ‘acting for’ and ‘standing for’. We also make a distinction between actors (representatives) and devices used as representations (e.g. descriptions, graphs and images), while discussing the intertwinement of these two aspects in representative practices. This paper stresses the performativity dimension and social embeddedness of representative practices. It sheds light on different meanings and implications of environmental representation, examining issues of claimmaking and what it means to represent the environment in various instances. Given the complex, durable and transboundary character of many topical environmental problems, the paper argues that it is essential to recognize and understand environmental representation in all its variety. It is moreover argued that a sociological elaboration of the concept of representation provides a basis for understanding the conditions for environmental politics, governance, management an
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