Down to Earth: Politics in New Climatic Regime by Latour - Essay Sample

Introduction

In Down to Earth: Politics in the New Climatic Regime written by Bruno Latour, the author explores the political difficulties appropriate to a period that is described by a crisis in environmental and socio-economic aspects. The state he describes portrays the controversies and the insufficiency of the contemporary situation which has failed to rethink the duty of place in societies in a world which is against human prosperity. Although it is a short article, it has played a critical role in bringing to attention the elementary dilemmas emanating from climate change. The author explains that nature is no longer a static background where human beings can get resources for their activities but have abandoned its critical duty as an active role player in the face of the earth. The author begins his contention by outlining three different aspects where currently societies share a profound connection, and they include; "the deregulation and globalization, rising inequalities and climate change"(Latour 1). Latour states that the threes aspects are the depiction of the current historical and political times. It is a time when the society is referred to as an open-world, but he contends that it is only open to a chose few people.

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Latour explains that what was meant to be a free and pluralistic world system has been led by hegemonic ideas. As a result, he explains that modernity has followed the visions put forth by the few hegemonic powers. The major conflict has been the opposition between the local and the world. The local resistance is based on the need to pursue nationalism, maintain locality that is made up of old cultures of patriotism and Xenophobia. He gives an example of Trump's decision to pull out from the Paris climate accord, and the author states "By pulling out of the Paris Accord, Trump explicitly triggered, if not a world war, at least a war over what constitutes the theatre of operations. "We Americans 'don't belong to the same earth as you. Yours may be threatened; ours won't be!"(Latour 3). It is an indication that Trump was pursuing locality and nationalism as opposed to the world views of going global.

On the other hand, the author explains that the global perspective is to embrace the planetary principle, which is based on the idea of continuous progress. The constant growth in this regard is that which is characterized by less government dominion, active technological advancement and a state where businesses enjoy free markets. The author suggests that the features create a political horizon which determines whether to go ahead remain behind. Latour explains that the relationship between local and global (attractors) has worn out paving the way for a new option. The author explains that it is at this point where the attractors have been eroded that Trumpism, Brexit and other populist establishments get on board. It is under these movements that the view of climate change is denied, and the world is regarded as a continuous reservoir of raw materials. He argues that behind these movements, there are elites and groups that have vested interests that benefit them when there is detachment from the real physical world. In the process of pursuing a self-interest, the idea of an ordinary world is eroded, and contradictory standards take charge where the people are promised liberation, and the upholding of status quo for instances Trump vows to make America great again. He explains that individual state has been shaped by natural manifestations, and the reverse is also true. Latour explains that the new climatic order requires a unique set of values and a way through future societies must be built to avoid repeating the same mistakes and selfish principles as they are depicted in the world today by the elites and distinct groups.

One of my reactions towards Latours contentions is that climate change is indeed and an issue that should not be ignored but instead personal and selfish interests should be put aside in order to find and feasible solution. It is an issue because it does not only affect one nation, but the world at large and therefore, global solutions are required. It is not an issue that can be handled but one leader or government. Solutions are held in the hands of the elites who are supposed to put personal motives aside so that they can purse global interest. The elite has the expertise, and most of them are rich in knowledge of how various nations have resolved specific issues. The leaders and the elite class can join efforts to share what each one of them goes through in regard to the problem and the possible ways through which they resolved the challenges and this way the world can apply the principles.

As much as Latour explains that the Elites and groups have a personal interest, the solutions lie in their hands because they have vast networks as well as knowledge to advise people on the best course of action. The appropriate way to go is to ensure that their interests come second as those of the nations they lead come first. When the global capitalism principle is used, the elites use their great business or ideas to expand national interests across the world. Through global capitalism, ideas are shared by elites across the globe, and through it, the challenges of climate change can be arrested. Additionally, finances can be availed on defined terms, and this can be used to facilitate the process of curbing the effects of climate change. Besides, through global capitalism expertise as well as already applied technology can be shared to control the issue of climate change in different countries. Elites, therefore, remain the only solution to the problem of climate change across the globe.

Works Cited

Latour, Bruno. Down to Earth: Politics in the new climatic regime. John Wiley & Sons, 2018.

Science Direct. Global Capitalist System retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/global-capitalist-system Accessed April 20 2020