British Journal of Politics & International Relations
Political science and the Earth system: Adapting governance to planetary realities
2025-05-12
Earth System Science has fundamentally transformed our understanding of the planet as a single, complex-adaptive system, integrating natural and social dynamics. This paradigm shift challenges some of the foundational concepts and assumptions in political science, including state sovereignty and institutional effectiveness. This article examines to what extent Earth System Science has influenced environmental governance and international relations scholarship. Theoretical innovations, publication trends, and a dedicated Earth System Governance research community signal progress, but the broader political science discourse remains disengaged from Earth system thinking. There is limited examination of whether the current international system is capable of effectively responding to Earth system dynamics. I scope future research trajectories in a context of accelerating Earth system change that undermines human well-being. Pursuing these research programmes would foster knowledge that reflects the planet’s condition and can support the development of effective governance solutions in the Anthropocene.