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Europa and Gaia: Towards an Ecofeminist Perspective in Integration Theory
Author(s) -
Brianson Alex
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
jcms: journal of common market studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.54
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1468-5965
pISSN - 0021-9886
DOI - 10.1111/jcms.12323
Subject(s) - ecofeminism , normative , perspective (graphical) , epistemology , sociology , politics , environmental ethics , work (physics) , sustainability , field (mathematics) , political philosophy , political science , ecology , philosophy , law , computer science , engineering , mechanical engineering , mathematics , artificial intelligence , pure mathematics , biology
In this article I argue that a key part of the re‐thinking of integration theory should be an engagement with green political theory and political economy, so that the field can speak to the major real‐life issues of our time such as climate change, biodiversity loss and the transition to a sustainable way of life. My focus is particularly on ecofeminism, which I argue helps regional integration scholars ask important questions that need to be more central to our work, and on Gaia theory, which I argue provides the ontological analysis to legitimize such a shift in theoretical perspective. As an illustration of how a green approach to integration theory might be undertaken, I use Mary Mellor's ecofeminist work to contribute to the ‘normative turn’ in integration theory.