Nature, Production, Power: Towards an Ecological Political Economy

by Fred P. Gale (Editor), R. Michael M'Gonigle (Editor)

Overview

This book introduces readers to the discipline of ecological political economy, an approach that aims at a theoretical synthesis of nature, production and power relations. At its heart is a critical appreciation of the social institutions and organizations that can provide the basis for strong environmental sustainability.

The complex of ecological, political and economic interrelationships are analysed by eleven authors from backgrounds in economics, political theory, political economy, law and theology. Unifying the disparate treatments is each author's commitment to critical reflection in the pursuit of an ever-more informed debate.

Key themes include the nature of 'community', the role of civil society in resisting and reforming modern (un)sustainable development, the new place of transnational advocacy networks, the transformative possibilities for the state and new economic institutions.

This book will be of special interest to political scientists and economists, as well as geographers, sociologists and students of environmental studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781840643176
Publisher:	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date:	11/27/2000
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Edited by Fred P. Gale, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania, Australia and R. Michael M’Gonigle, University of Victoria, Canada

Table of Contents

Contents: Preface Part I: Ecological Political Economy and Community 1. A Dialectic of Centre and Territory 2. Sabbaths, Shamans and Superquarrying on a Scottish Island 3. ‘Community’ and Natural Resource Conservation Part II: Ecological Political Economy and Critical Theory 4. Democracy, Ecology, Political Economy 5. An Ecological Historical Materialism 6. Nature (Re)Production and Power Part III: Ecological Political Economy and the State 7. Political Ecology and Regional Sustainability 8. Beyond the Statist Frame Part IV: Ecological Political Economy and the ‘System’ 9. Ecological Sustainability 10. Equity, Economic Scale and the Role of Exchange in a Sustainable Economy 11. Regulating Accumulation, Guarding the Web Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

'Political economy is the gaping hole in green theory and practice, and the contributors in this book seek to fill it . . . There is a determined sense of realism here - not a realism that caves in to market forces and the "end of ideology", but one that seeks just and sustainable outcomes through alternative, subversive, and sometimes modest, means. . .'

Andrew Dobson

'Nature, Production, Power is a much needed compilation of excellent essays on political ecology. It greatly furthers the Canadian and international discussion about how to best bring ecology into political economy.'

Roger Keil

'[A] highly creative and stimulating book, well worth a thoughtful read whether one is primarily a critical theorist, a policy wonk, or a would-be guardian.'

Thomas Princen

'Nature, Production, Power establishes the pressing need for the creation of a truly ecological political economy, as an alternative to analyses that assume the world is populated only by "homo economicus", or that "the environment" is merely another policy issue area. . .'

John Dryzek

'[A] path-breaking book that sets out to conceptualise a new ecological political economy . . . The collection offers a range of innovative analyses that highlight how changing rationalities and systems of governance, production, reproduction and exchange are implicated in the generation of local, regional and global ecological problems.'

Robyn Eckersley

Introduces the discipline of ecological political economy, an approach that synthesizes nature, production, and power relations. Environmental, political, and economic interrelationships are analyzed by contributors from backgrounds of economics, political theory, law, and theology. Key themes include the nature of community, the role of civil society in resisting and reforming modern development, the place of transnational advocacy networks, and new economic institutions. Gales is affiliated with the University of Tasmania, Australia. M'Gonigle is affiliated with the University of Victoria, Canada. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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