Transformation Toward an Ecological Civilization: A Relational Approach to a Just Transition

Civilization is at a precipice. After decades of overshoot, societies are entering a period of protracted breakdown and collapse. This moment is unlike prior cycles in civilizational history. For the first time, the planet is now primarily shaped by human activity, and humanity’s survival and flourishing are not assured. Civilization, if it survives, must intentionally limit its development to stay within safe social and ecological boundaries— something that is without historical precedent. This calls for a shift toward an Ecological Civilization—a society organized by principles of justice and regeneration. This dissertation explores this transition through multiple lenses—personal, social, and ecological—and argues that fundamentally re-structuring society on the basis of a relational paradigm offers the best pathways toward an Ecological Civilization. Theoretical and practical examples are explored in equal measure to provide a more coherent and comprehensive account of the depth and breadth of the transition under consideration. Cross-cutting discussions of spirituality, science, education, and political economy (among many other fields) offer insights into the multifaceted nature of today’s global poly-crisis, its challenges, and its opportunities. The dissertation concludes by outlining feasible pathways for realizing a just transition to an Ecological Civilization.

This dissertation was published May 2022 on the following website: https://archive.org/details/walsh-2022