Top Posts
4th Meteorological Economy Forum focuses on climate change,...
Research: Climate change linked to 16,500 heat deaths...
Abia begins tree planting campaign to combat climate...
Study shows tropical rainforest soil may fuel climate...
Turkey’s New climate law in Turkey ushers in...
Report: Climate change threatens homes, livelihoods of 1.5m...
Study shows climate change could make ‘droughts’ for...
Pakistan demands collective response in climate change fight
AfDB sets aside $40m to drive AGIA green...
Report: African cities move to address carbon-neutral development
EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
World

Is authoritarianism needed to fight climate change? New study makes its case

by admineconai January 11, 2022
written by admineconai January 11, 2022
752

A study published in a peer-reviewed academic journal has argued that “authoritarianism” could be necessary to fight against the impact of climate change.

The study which was published in Cambridge University’s American Political Science Review and first reported by the Foundation For Economic Education, started out with the question of “is authoritarian power ever legitimate?”.

This was before the author outlined how it could be when combating climate change.

Read also: Expert says Seawall damage sign of things to come amid sea level rise

Assistant professor of political theory at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile Ross Mittiga who wrote the study’s abstract noted that while under normal conditions, maintaining democracy and rights is typically compatible with guaranteeing safety, in emergency situations, conflicts between these two aspects of legitimacy can and often do arise.

“A salient example of this is the COVID-19 pandemic, during which severe limitations on free movement and association have become legitimate techniques of government. Climate change poses an even graver threat to public safety,” she wrote. “Consequently, I argue, legitimacy may require a similarly authoritarian approach.”

She added that “While unsettling, this suggests the political importance of climate action.

“For if we wish to avoid legitimating authoritarian power, we must act to prevent crises from arising that can only be resolved by such means.”

According to the study, it is “ultimately an empirical question whether authoritarian governance is better able to realize desired environmental outcomes and, if so, why and to what extent.”

The study drew criticism on Twitter, particularly from Alexander Wuttke, a political psychology professor at the University of Mannheim, who referred to it as “disturbing.”

“In my reading, it explicitly argues that we must put climate action over democracy and adopt authoritarian governance if democracies fail to act on climate change,” Wuttke wrote.

AuthoritarianismClimate changeStudy
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
admineconai

previous post
Climate Change: Over £760,000 raised for Guardian, Observer charity appeal
next post
Excitement as Int’l Energy Agency to consider making database freely accessible

Related Posts

4th Meteorological Economy Forum focuses on climate change,...

September 17, 2025

Research: Climate change linked to 16,500 heat deaths...

September 17, 2025

Turkey’s New climate law in Turkey ushers in...

September 16, 2025

Report: Climate change threatens homes, livelihoods of 1.5m...

September 16, 2025

Study shows climate change could make ‘droughts’ for...

August 18, 2025

Pakistan demands collective response in climate change fight

August 18, 2025

Brazil launches COP30 accommodation platform after pressure from...

August 7, 2025

Pakistan’s deadly floods worsened by global warming: study

August 7, 2025

Putin decree allows Russia to increase greenhouse gas...

August 7, 2025

New study shows climate change cancelling major events

August 4, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Bloglovin
  • Vimeo

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Eco-Nai+

EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World