Civic Politics and Social Power: Environmental Politics “On the Ground”

All Environmental Politics are Local

In Chapter 3 we saw that markets, although offered as the “solution” to all environmental problems, can only modify those practices and institutions that do the damage. We never ask whether there are other ways to achieve the ends we seek, ways that might avoid those nagging environmental problems in the first place. A search for alternative means of environmental protection takes us into the realm of politics, for we may find that much greater changes in our beliefs, practices, and institutions are necessary than can be achieved through market-based methods. Such changes will require us to consider how power is used ...