In order to situate and apply the theory of metamorphosis to the challenges and opportunities within climate change we need to outline its key elements through Beck’s own work and the work of Rasborg (2018) and Lash (2003). This will be achieved by using the work of Honeybun-Arnolda (2017) to critically engage with some of its weaker elements when applied to the global possibilities of climate change risk and its impact. Although a refreshingly optimistic approach to climate change risk and its impact, ultimately this discussion concludes that more specification on metamorphosis theory and the impact of neoliberalism and imperialism on geopolitical power is essential.

Beck’s theory of metamorphosis seeks to reposition approaches to the sociology of change, instead of focusing on ideas around an evolutionary or linear processual development, it reveals a shifting of social worldviews acting upon rather than within society (Beck, 2016; Lash, 2003; Rasborg, 2018). For Beck this kind of change resists the further categorisation of society beyond humanity and the world. When faced with trans-national issues such as climate change further categorising reverts us back to initial ideas of simple modernity and reflexive modernity through ideas around neoliberal individualism, nationalism, and isolationism through nation states and in doing so risks extinction (Beck, 1992). Lash (2003) argues that through Beck’s approach to reflexive modernity in risk societies we see a clear departure from traditional dualistic structure/agency approach and instead one that is strictly non-linear in its approach. They make a clear delineation between the ontological approach of Latour in its break from dualistic approaches and states that Beck is more traditionally sociological in their creation of a defining thematic approach to reflexive modernity (Lash, 2003, p.50).

The theory of metamorphosis requires an understanding of the ‘objective forces’ at play. A distinct set of processes happen together to produce this metamorphosis: the global circulation of information regarding the ‘bad’ and the inability to address the ‘bad’ by institutions. This in turn produces an awakening of conscious regarding the ability of society to understand and respond to crises like climate change. Climate crisis for Beck is a great equalizer, insomuch that it forces us to see the inter-connectedness of our situation, it is “emancipatory catastrophism” (Beck 2014). Whereas Beck’s aim with his concept of risk society was to emphasis the bad of the ‘goods’ in his theory of metamorphosis he seeks to emphasise the good of the ‘bads’ (Beck, 2016; Rasborg, 2018). This emancipatory catastrophism is seen as an objective force that is happening to society on a global scale and as such forces a cosmopolitan understanding and produces this awakening of conscious.

Beck takes this idea of inter-connectedness further when discussing how spaces of action are cosmopolitanised due to a shared interest of survival, a mindset of “cooperate or fail” rather than kindness or charity (Beck, 2011).

Beck’s sociological approach to climate change through the theory of metamorphosis covers several aspects including a refusal to continue to feed the binary opposition of what is often seen in the media as climate denial verses catastrophism (Beck, 2011). They do this by offering an approach of not ‘either- or’ but rather ‘both- and’ through the “cosmopolitan gaze” rather than the “national gaze” (Beck, 2011). It also allows for a reflexive approach to crisis; Climate Change presents the human race with questions of survival that require reflection upon our identity and interdependence. Beck believes that the by-product of crises can result in new approaches to ethics, a re-evaluation of commonality and a reorientation from our anthropocentric approach to nature (Beck, 2016). When examining the contributions of the metamorphosis thesis Rosberg states, “metamorphosis is not a pessimistic theory about an ‘apocalyptic catastrophe’ but is instead a hopeful theory that conceives the world risk society as a ‘self-critical society’ which provides the basis for ‘the project of a different globalization and a different modernity’.” (Rosberg, 2018).

However, there seems to be a lack of consideration given to the geopolitical divide of the ‘global north and south’ in relation to climate change and how this metamorphosis will take place in such a divided environment (Kiely, 2016). Honeybun-Arnolda (2017) cites a weakness in Beck’s approach saying that it cannot be holistically applied, “Beck’s proposals and supporting statements are highly applicable, but only to western nation-states.” (Honeybun-Arnolda, 2017, p. 178). The power relations at play within the north/south divide have an imperialistic feel to them with many nation-states outside of the West being at a distinct disadvantage due to their positioning in the global neoliberal economy, advancement in the industrial timeline, and who is allowed to hold positions of power in organisations such as the UN, IMF and World Bank (Said, 1978; Prashad, 2013). Another consideration is the lack of distribution where emissions permissions are concerned and the impact this could have on emerging markets within the global south (Meyer and Roser, 2006). The positions and motivations of power when it comes to climate change are crucial when evaluating the prospect of social change beyond western states.

Another weakness could be seen in Beck’s surety that climate change risk can overcome neoliberalism and enable trans-national responsibility (Beck, 2014, p.170). They make it clear that this metamorphosis could redefine the relationship between humans and nature however Urry (2011) discusses this relationship saying, “human progress should be measured and evaluated in terms of society’s domination and exploitation of nature, rather than through transforming the very relations between ‘humans’ and ‘nature’.” (Urry, 2011, p.7). The effect of neoliberalism on our approach to ideas on climate change can already be seen by the fetishisation of green energy (Parr, 2012). This continued mediation of a neoliberal economy within our lives results in what Parr (2012) refers to as a “double bind” between our consumerist approach to climate change which both fuels but also eases our moral inadequacy in addressing climate change (Parr, 2012, p.146). 

Beck’s theory of metamorphosis is important in laying the foundation for new approaches to sociological theories of change. By putting forward a thematic approach that operates as a continuation of sociological tradition, but which deviates from the traditional dualistic approaches of agency/structure, Beck frees us to pursue more expansive theories around power and social change and the relations between and around them. However, in terms of practical application more work is needed when looking at an inclusively global application of this theory (Honeybun-Arnolda, 2017).  Unless the intercession of neoliberalism and imperialism are directly challenged and addressed a true metamorphosis, as Beck sees it, does not seem possible.

References:

Beck, U. (1992) Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity [online] London: Sage Publications.

Beck, U. (2011) Cosmopolitanism as Imagined Communities of Risk, American Behavioral Scientist, 55(10), pp. 1346-1361. [Accessed 18 May 2021] Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0002764211409739

Beck, U. (2014) Emancipatory catastrophism: What does it mean to climate change and risk society, Current Sociology, 63(1), pp. 75-88. [Accessed 18 May 2021] Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0011392114559951?casa_token=XsHNJSQwuJgAAAAA%3AzqtJ3kEYLGjoniTjNHS6jviQpdzGYwyRrF3GBybodH2TbVNjst3IM-no7mGBrlzsEgNnTFSyZX5xIA

Beck, U. (2016) The metamorphosis of the world [online] Cambridge: Polity Press.

Honeybun-Arnolda, E. (2017) The Metamorphosis of the World: How Climate Changeis Transforming our Concept of the World, 5(3), pp. 177-179. [Accessed 18 May 2021] Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/2325548X.2017.1315250

Kiely, R. (2016) The Rise and Fall of Emerging Powers: Globalisation, US Power and the Global North-South Divide. illustrated ed. New York City: Springer International Publishing.

Lash, S. (2003) Reflexivity as Non-linearity, Theory, Culture, & Society, 20(2), pp. 49-57. [Accessed 18 May 2021] Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0263276403020002003

Meyer, L.H., Roser, D. (2006) Distributive Justice and Climate Change. The Allocation of Emission Rights Analyse & Kritik [online]. 28(2), pp. 223-249. [Accessed 24 February 2020]. https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/auk.2006.28.issue-2/auk-2006-0207/auk-2006-0207.pdf

Parr, Adrian. (2013) The Wrath of Capital: Neoliberalism and Climate Change Politics. 1st ed. New York: Columbia University Press.

Prashad, V. (2013) Neoliberalism With Southern Characteristics: The Rise Of The BRICS [online]. New York Office: Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung. Available from: http://www.rosalux-nyc.org/wp-content/files_mf/prashad_brics.pdf  [Accessed 24 February 2020].

Rasborg, K. (2018) From ‘the Bads of Goods’ to ‘the Goods of Bads’: The Most Recent Developments in Ulrich Beck’s Cosmopolitan Sociology, Theory, Culture, & Society, 35(7-8), pp. 157-171. [Accessed 18 May 2021] Available from: https://journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.uwe.ac.uk/doi/full/10.1177/0263276418810418?utm_source=summon&utm_medium=discovery-provider

Said, E.W. (1978) Orientalism 3rd ed. London: Penguin Books.

Urry, J. (2011) Climate Change and Society 1st ed. Cambridge: Polity Press.