Living in an Ecological Civilization: Ideological Interpretations of an Authoritarian Mode of Sustainability in China

The proper analysis of environmental politics in different national contexts requires a returned focus on ideology. This article demonstrates that a neutral conceptualization of ideology is necessary to understand the way environmental politics integrates with social and cultural interpretations of how to manage environmental issues. The article examines Ecological Civilization, the Chinese Communist Party’s interpretation of sustainability, to demonstrate that the ideology resonates across Chinese society. The article first analyses semantic themes within the Party’s interpretation of Ecological Civilization, which continues to prioritize economic development over environmental protection. The article then shows that these themes are also prevalent in the media but are presented to the public utilizing different genres, styles and voice. Finally, by analysing the interpretation of Ecological Civilization from 245 residents of Chengdu, the article shows how some in China prioritize economic development, while others emphasize the importance of protecting the environment. The central finding is that in general residents support the government’s heavy-handed approach to environmental policy, thereby reinforcing the state’s authoritarian control over society. The article concludes by arguing that this finding is demonstrated by drawing from a neutral conceptualization of ideology and that such a framework should now be extended to other socio-political contexts