Environment And Democracy In The Czech Republic

. . . the book s contents will appeal to academics working within the fields of environmental politics or central and east European studies, as well as to political or social scientists with an interest in SMO development. David Benson, Environmental Politics Environment and Democracy in the Czech Republic is a succinct, well written and scrupulously researched book. . . Sean Hanley, Europe Asia Studies . . . this book provides a well-researched survey of the development of the environmental movement in the Czech Republic and of its role in relation to the democratic transition process. . . For scholars and students looking at environmental politics in Central and Eastern Europe, it provides a wealth of information that will be useful in conducting comparative studies. Alberto Costi, European Environment Fagan has written a well-researched analysis of the evolving role and status of Czech EMOs since the overthrow of communism. John M. Kramer, Slavic Review This volume presents an original study of the development of the environmental movement in the Czech Republic, particularly in relation to the democratic transition process. It offers a broad, historical analysis of the evolution of the movement through the 1990s to the present day, and presents rich case studies on a number of environmental organisations. The detailed empirical work reveals interesting insights into the character of contemporary Czech politics and the difficulties faced by the environmental movement. This is a well researched and well written piece of work which will make a valuable contribution to the existing literature. James Meadowcroft, University of Sheffield, UK Since a handful of environmental activists helped to bring down the communist regime in Czechoslovakia, the arena of environmental politics has offered a valuable lens on the transition process, providing a unique insight into the contradictory and highly contingent relationship between democratisation and neo-liberalism. Environment and Democracy in the Czech Republic offers a radical perspective on the democratisation process, revealing the extent to which the consolidation of a politically efficacious and diverse civil society is far more complex than the earlier generation of commentators acknowledged. The environmental movement has not flourished under political democracy; its radical activists have been marginalized and targeted by the state, their ideologies and strategies compromised and their critical voice silenced. Yet the book concludes that whilst the mainstream environmental movement has become institutionalised and appears incapable of representing community interests, the environmental issue retains the capacity to mobilise, this time against the neo-liberal agenda of the democratic government. This definitive account of the evolution of the Czech environmental movement since 1990 offers a radical evaluation of the institutions and practice of political democracy, and challenges some of the certainties of social movement theory. Although focused on the Czech Republic, the book will undoubtedly contribute to a better understanding of the role of environmental movements within contemporary politics throughout the world. It will be welcomed by political and social scientists with an interest in Central and Eastern Europe, and academics and students with an interest in environmental politics.

This volume explores the impact of democratization and marketization on the environment in East Central Europe. The essays investigate: how the twin processes of change affect the physical environment; the expression of environmental interest; and environmental management policies.

Recent democratization and the accompanied liberalization of the media in Central and Eastern Europe has brought the devastating environmental impacts of the intensive and careless industrialization of the last 40 years to the surface. Less is known, however, about the social, political and institutional background of environmental risk management which led to the present situation, as well as about recent changes. Environment and Democratic Transition: Policy and Politics in Central and Eastern Europe provides an overview of the mechanism of policy making, the role of the scientific community, the environmental movements, and the public in risk controversies in Central and Eastern Europe from the 1970s until 1991. The book brings together studies by leading social scientists from the East and the West who investigate the economic, legal, institutional, behavioral, social and political aspects of environmental policy. In addition to analyzing past histories, most contributions focus also on challenges, pitfalls and dilemmas that the region's policy makers and environmentalists must face during the period of transition and into the future.

The interconnectedness of the global environment and finiteness of the earth's natural resources require an increased understanding of environmental and natural-resource policy and politics in countries around the world. This is especially true of industrializing countries where widespread ecological disturbances and rapid exploitation of natural resources are taking place. Ecological Policy and Politics in Developing Countries provides an in-depth study of ecological problems, policies, and politics in ten major industrializing countries. Each chapter discusses the increasingly international context of domestic environmental policies and explores some of the powerful interests and institutional forces that contribute to ecological problems and shape the policies to deal with them in each country. The authors identify some of the major impediments to both well-designed environmental policies and their effective implementation. The ten countries included here—the Czech Republic, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Taiwan, Thailand, Slovakia, and Venezuela—cover five continents, over half of the world's population and most of the major industrializing countries. [Contributors include Lester Ross, Robert Cribb, Jonathan Rigg and Philip Stott, Juju Chin-Shou Wang, R. K. Sapru, Stephen P. Mumme, Pablo Gutman, Olusegun Areola, and Catherine Albrecht.]

This is the third Environmental Performance Review of the Czech Republic. It evaluates progress towards sustainable development and green growth, with special features on waste, materials management and circular economy and sustainable urban development.

Among the most costly and complicated chapters in the former Eastern bloc countries' transitions to democracy is the clean up and restoration of the environment. Even as Communist-era environmental problems fade in significance-such as pollution from heavy industry-new threats have emerged. Restoring Cursed Earth considers how rule making, sanctions, incentives, and programs shape environmental protection efforts, and whether and to what extent these emerging policy structures are promoting environmental well-being for citizens in Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Estonia.

Does the green movement remain a transformative force in American life? In Environment in the Balance Jonathan Cannon interprets a wide range of U.S. Supreme Court decisions over four decades and explores the current ferment among activists, to gauge the practical and cultural impact of environmentalism and its future prospects.