Metabolic Rift or World Ecology. Reexamination of an Ongoing Debate

Abstract

Introduction: over the last decades, the ecological crisis has spurred a materialist turn in critical theory. but some of its main advocates have engaged in heated debates. The so-called metabolic rift school and the world ecology perspective, two of the most relevant tendencies of ecological Marxism, have been no exception. Objective: by calling our attention to the development and main points of debate between these two currents, this article aims to systematize this polemic in three thematic axes. Methodology: first, it offers a synthesis of the emergence, evolution and main contributions of the metabolic rift and world ecology schools. Secondly, I address the ontological and epistemological discussion on the relationship between Society and Nature. Finally, I examinea series of conceptual and analytical topics such as: the social, natural or singular character of metabolism; the nature of the metabolic change under capitalism and the ecological crisis; and the controversy over the theory of value, its content, validity, scope and limits. Conclusions: in conclusion, I offer a theoretical assessment of the strengths and limitations of these approaches, considering their potential for future developments.