Research Design Research Paper - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... have been referenced. Moreover, the basic theory of social ecology is reiterated and briefly explained when and where required so that the present day problem areas can be adequately synchronized with the subject. The research methodology will involve survey based on statistical sampling and methods suitable for social research. Interview questionnaires will be designed such that they act as assessment tools to examine the participants’ understanding of social ecology and its practical significance. The focus will mainly be on the migrant population. Literature Review Social ecology is a sphere of study which holds that the present day ecological issues are actually being caused by social problems that are deeply entrenched in the individual and community behaviors of human beings and their hierarchical social order (Bookchin, 2005). These social problems have broadly manifested in the form of socio-economic and political disparities in human society through a prolonged and sustained process (Bookchin, 2005; Potter and Wetherell, 1987). Hence, Bookchin (2004) has advocated radical democratic processes and ideals to be inducted in a libertarian socialist philosophy so that the hierarchical system of our social order can be replaced with a more accommodating and socio-environmentally conscious societal arrangement. Thus, social ecology is highly critical towards modern capitalism since, “Owing to its inherently competitive nature, bourgeois society not only pits humans against each other, it also pits the mass of humanity against the natural world.” (Bookchin, 2004, pp. 24-25) In furtherance with the exploitative nature of modern capitalism and its global implications, environmental movements have emerged as a prominent social response in the countries like USA. “Histories of the environmental movement have emphasized the importance of a shift in focus from those issues traditionally associated with the movement, such as resource and wildlife protection, towards “new” quality of life issues, such as environmental pollution and its human health effects.” (Johnson, 2006, p. 132) However, the corporatist structure of modern capitalism has also come under some sort of pressure in the recent years. In the view of the global recession, governments are increasingly becoming critical towards the diverse corporate entities in different sectors. Although the working class is alos under pressure due to stringent economic circumstances and policies, the ethical obligations of the social contract between employers and employees is being reiterated (Aldonas, 2009). Yet, the immigrant workers are often being compelled to compromise the environmental and economic issues due to corporate persuasion and immigration rules. The social question regarding the political conflicts and related working class activism across Australia, North America, and Europe is gradually diffusing owing to rise of consumerism and immigration. “Transnational social rights and social citizenship” (Faist, 2009, p. 7) are becoming more important areas of sociological debate. These dynamics have two-fold effect. Firstly, environmental and ecological issues are being cornered by security and immigration controversies. Secondly, the transnational populations are often compromising the issues like sexual exploitation, underemployment, ...Download file to see next pagesRead More