Political Ecology Model

POLITICAL ECOLOGY MODEL

by Antonio C. Antonio

March 1, 2015

The Political Ecology Model is an additional systems model of human ecology.  There are other HEI (human-environment interaction) models which I have written about before.  (Please check on the following blogs and links listed as References below.)  A review of these HEI models will give us a better understanding at the Political Ecology Model and how it differs from the others.

Political Ecology is the study of the relationships between political, economic and social factors with environmental issues and changes.  It refers to the flow and distribution of power (therefore, in this sense, the capacity to determine how resources are allocated among the members or groups in a population) among individuals and groups in a human population or society. Unlike the actor/actress-based model of HEI, political ecology model assumes that there is a hierarchy in a group that decides for and in behalf of the whole population.  Changes and innovations for the progress of a population is also determined by this type of leadership structure.  For leading the group, leaders are bestowed with the power to decide on the distribution and exchange of materials among members of the social units or group of social units living in a particular environment.

This organizational characteristic is not only prevalent in upland communities but in bigger and larger social units such as a country.  Modern society and economies are driven by the Political Ecology Model.

Just my little thoughts…

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REFERENCES:

Antonio, A. C., (2014). “Human-Environment Interaction”. Retrieved 1^st of March 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/08/human-environment-interaction.html

Antonio, A. C. (2015). “Cultural Ecology”. Retrieved 1^st of March 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/search?q=cultural+ecology

Antonio, A. C., (2014). “Human Ecology: Ecosystem-based and Actor/Actress-based Models”.  Retrieved 1^st of March 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/07/human-ecology-ecosystem-based-and.html