Environmental Democracy

Timothy O'Riordan

Convincingly shows that environmental democracy is shaped by socialized patterns of understanding rooted in networks of power and trust. Such networks are in turn the product of governance and the tolerance of injustice. Through a wide range of case studies, Mason reveals just how sensitive we all must be to styles of power, vulnerability and resilience in any democratic transition to sustainability. This is a fine book.

Library Journal

Reconciling the demands of industries that seek to use natural resources to provide goods and services with those of environmentalists who attempt to preserve nature's wonders may appear to be impossible. Fortunately, this book provides one possible resolution. The author, a senior lecturer in environmental studies at the University of North London, argues that by engaging in a kind of green communication, all parties involved in the debate over a particular natural resource will find their needs met at a satisfactory level. He defines environmental democracy as "a participatory and ecologically rational form of collective decision-making; it prioritizes judgments based on long-term generalizable interests, facilitated by communicative political procedures and radicalization of existing liberal rights." While parts of the book are as academically dry as that definition, and at times it is a bit utopian in its assumptions, Mason effortlessly blends his theories with a number of very readable examples from around the world where the principles of his environmental democracy have been successfully applied. Though some general readers may find parts of this book tough going, it should still be read by those with a serious interest in seeing environmental policy disputes settled.--Thomas J. Baldino, Wilkes Univ., Wilkes-Barre, PA Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

Integrating theory with case studies from around the world, Mason (geography and environmental studies, U. of North London) describes how to combine the two widely held values of civic self-determination and ecological sustainability. He argues that despite deconstructionist denials of universality, there remains a common normative space for democratic governance and environmental justice that extends across borders to every non-fundamentalist culture and back through history to the victims of past victims of social and environmental injustice. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)