The Environment in World Politics
Exploring the Limits
Ian Bellany(Author)
Edward Elgar Publishing
Published on 30. January 1997
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-85898-348-6 (ISBN)
Description
The Environment in WORLD POLITICS explores the interaction of humanity with the physical environment from a systems perspective.The whole is taken to be made up of five sub-systems. The first two are international supply of and demand for goods and services with flows governed by market principles. Classically such a two-component self-stable system could be considered closed, in that two-way interaction with what lay outside was almost zero. However, the effects of economic activity on the physical environment can no longer be ignored and a third sub-system setting norms for acceptable discharges into the environment is plainly necessary. At the same time, the significance of economic activity representing exploitation of commons resources (and hence not obviously governable by market principles) has itself continued to increase. Commons sources are the fourth sub-system and the arrangements for monitoring resource-flows from such sources the fifth sub-system.
The focus of the book is on sustainable development. This is taken to mean a stable relationship between the sub-systems, with the norms governing the flows between the sub-systems set and maintained at a desirable level. This approach is found naturally to accommodate the exploration of practical concerns including global warming, protection of the ozone layer, and the exploitation of nuclear power. It also provides a stimulating setting for the examination of INTER ALIA, the precautionary principle, the contentious role of science in the setting of environmental norms, and the population question.
This book will be essential reading for social science undergraduates and postgraduate students of international relations, politics and international environmental politics.
The focus of the book is on sustainable development. This is taken to mean a stable relationship between the sub-systems, with the norms governing the flows between the sub-systems set and maintained at a desirable level. This approach is found naturally to accommodate the exploration of practical concerns including global warming, protection of the ozone layer, and the exploitation of nuclear power. It also provides a stimulating setting for the examination of INTER ALIA, the precautionary principle, the contentious role of science in the setting of environmental norms, and the population question.
This book will be essential reading for social science undergraduates and postgraduate students of international relations, politics and international environmental politics.
Reviews / Votes
'This book presents a thoughtful, comprehensive and closely-argued case. . .'More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-85898-348-6 (9781858983486)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
The late Ian Bellany, formerly Professor of Politics, University of Lancaster, UK
Content
Contents: Preface 1. Introduction 2. Systems, Science and Norms 3. Nuclear Origins, Nuclear Spread 4. Nuclear Power and the Environment 5. International Collective Action 6. Living Resources 7. The Stratosphere and Lower Atmosphere 8. Global Warming 9. Population 10. Conclusion Index