从星球边界到社会界限:集体性自我限制视角

From Planetary to Societal Boundaries:An Argument for Collectively Defined Self-Limitation

“星球边界”这一概念已经深刻改变了全球环境议题的表述方式和表达形式。通过引入“社会界限”概念,可为全球环境议题讨论提供一个批判性社会科学视角,从而可以更准确地理解所谓自然生态临界值的社会属性。文章首先从社会科学视角分析了星球边界概念的优缺点,然后以资本主义社会为核心探讨了现代社会的扩张动力、权力关系和锁定结构,因为正是它们驱动着一种严重不可持续的社会的自然关系。虽然社会界限的确定是一个争议性过程——围绕着规范性判断、伦理关切和社会政治斗争等方面,但它可以为公正的社会生态转型提供指引。集体自治和自我限制的政治是社会界限考量中的关键性元素,并且与整合人类福祉和自然边界的重要建议与多元经验相关联,其中国家的作用以及增进社会福祉的激进的替代性方法尤为重要。最后,文章将社会自由界定为不以牺牲他人为代价的生活的权利,并对此作了反思。

The planetary boundaries concept has profoundly changed the vocabulary and representation of global environmental issues.We bring a critical social science perspective to this framework through the notion of societal boundaries and aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of the social nature of thresholds.We start by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of planetary boundaries from a social science perspective.We then focus on capitalist societies as a heuristic for discussing the expansionary dynamics,power relations,and lock-ins of modern societies that impel highly unsustainable societal relations with nature.While formulating societal boundaries implies a controversial process-based on normative judgments,ethical concerns,and socio-political struggles-it has the potential to offer guidelines for a just,social-ecological transformation.Collective autonomy and the politics of self-limitation are key elements of societal boundaries and are linked to important proposals and pluriverse experiences to integrate well-being and boundaries.The role of the state and propositions for radical alternative approaches to well-being have particular importance.We conclude with reflections on social freedom,defined as the right not to live at others’expense.Toward the aim of defining boundaries through transdisciplinary and democratic processes,we seek to open a dialogue on these issues.