Description
Book SynopsisThe editors of this volume bring together an impressive cast of scholars on the critical relationship of democracy and governance in sustainable development. It offers an outstanding and timely contribution to the literatures in sustainability, political science, and comparative environmental politics.'
- Daniel J. Fiorino, American University, US
'This very timely and important collection draws together some of the world's leading thinkers on environment and development to debate one of the most important issues of our time: sustainable development. They very usefully remind us all that in order to be politically sustainable, the sustainability transition will have to find a way to maximise policy synergies in a democratically legitimate manner.'
- Andy Jordan, University of East Anglia, UK
This insightful book deals with governance of the environment and sustainable development. The contributors explore the difficulties developed countries are experiencing in coming to terms with environmental limits and the resultant challenges to the democratic polity. They engage with different dimensions of the governance challenge including norms, public attitudes, citizen engagement, political conflict, policy design, and implementation, and with a range of environmental problems such as climate change, biodiversity/nature protection, and water management. The book concludes with an essay by William Lafferty that explores the flawed character of the contemporary democratic polity and offers his reflections on possible pathways to reform.
This book will interest researchers, academics, and graduate students in environmental politics and public policy. It is ideal for use as supplementary reading in a wide range of university courses, while NGOs and policy-makers will also find it of considerable value.
Contributors: C. Aall, S. Baker, E. Bomberg, H.T.A. Bressers, P.-O. Busch, F.H.J.M. Coenen, K. Eckerberg, H. Jörgens, W.M. Lafferty, O. Langhelle, L.J. Lundqvist, J. Meadowcroft, G. Mullally, M. Narodoslawsky, A. Ruud, M.A. Schreurs
Trade Review‘The editors of this volume bring together an impressive cast of scholars on the critical relationship of democracy and governance in sustainable development. It offers an outstanding and timely contribution to the literatures in sustainability, political science, and comparative environmental politics.’ -- Daniel J. Fiorino, American University, US
‘This very timely and important collection draws together some of the world’s leading thinkers on environment and development to debate one of the most important issues of our time: sustainable development. They very usefully remind us all that in order to be politically sustainable, the sustainability transition will have to find a way to maximise policy synergies in a democratically legitimate manner.’ -- Andy Jordan, University of East Anglia, UK
Table of ContentsContents: Preface 1. Governance, Democracy and Sustainable Development: Moving Beyond the Impasse James Meadowcroft, Oluf Langhelle and Audun Ruud 2. A Changing Energy Resource Base and the Re-invention of the Region Michael Narodoslawsky 3. Trends, Drivers and Dilemmas in the Transition Towards Sustainable Water Management Frans H.J.M. Coenen and Hans T.A. Bressers 4. Local Participation and Learning in Nature Protection: A Swedish Success Story Katarina Eckerberg 5. Early Experiences of Local Climate Change Adaptation in Norwegian Society Carlo Aall 6. ‘Think Globally, Act Locally!’ But What on Earth Can Local Governments Do About Global Climate Change? Lennart J. Lundqvist 7. Moving Beyond the Impasse: Climate Change Activism in the US and the EU Elizabeth Bomberg 8. Governance and Participation for Sustainable Development in Ireland: ‘Not So Different After All?’ Gerard Mullally 9. Measuring What? National Interpretations of Sustainable Development – The Case of Norway Oluf Langhelle and Audun Ruud 10. Breaking the Impasse on Global Environmental Protection Miranda A. Schreurs 11. Governance by Diffusion: Exploring a New Mechanism of International Policy Coordination Per-Olof Busch and Helge Jörgens 12. Climate Change, the Common Good and the Promotion of Sustainable Development Susan Baker 13. Pushing the Boundaries: Governance for Sustainable Development and a Politics of Limits James Meadowcroft 14. Governance for Sustainable Development: The Impasse of Dysfunctional Democracy William M. Lafferty Index
