Description
Book Synopsis Many people investigating the operation of large-scale environmentalist organizations see signs of power, knowledge and governance in their policies and projects. This collection indicates that such an analysis appears to be justified from one perspective, but not from another. The chapters in this collection show that the critics, concerned with the power of these organizations to impose their policies in different parts of the world, appear justified when we look at environmentalist visions and at organizational policies and programs. However, they are much less justified when we look at the practical operation of such organizations and their ability to generate and carry out projects intended to reshape the world.
Trade Review “The chapters in the first section provide rich descriptions of environmental discourses, but the true contribution of Virtualism, governance and practice is found in the second section, which explores the relationship between conservation design and conservation execution... Even if [it does] not answer all of the important questions, [it] succeeds marvelously in posing them in a clear, provocative manner. [It] would be an excellent addition to courses on environmental discourses and community-based conservation. Even more, [it] would be useful reading for any individual who hopes to contribute to the policy and practice of conservation in the twenty-first century.” · Focaal
"This collection is an exciting, important and cutting-edge contribution to the literature from some leading contributors. The individual chapters are well written and provide some fascinating case studies." · Daniel Brockington, Manchester University
"This is an excellent and fascinating study of ethnographic studies and conceptual essays …The breadth and detail of these studies, combined with the excellent conceptual framework provided by editors, make this a highly valuable collection for scholars, policy makers, and applied practitioners." · James Igoe, Dartmouth College
Table of Contents List of Figures, Tables and Boxes
Preface
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
James G. Carrier and Paige West
Chapter 1. Virtualism and the Logic of Environmentalism
Vassos Argyrou
Chapter 2. New Nature: On the Production of a Paradox
Maarten Onneweer
Chapter 3. A Culture of Conservation: Shaping the Human Element in National Parks
Kathy Rettie
Chapter 4. A Bridge Too Far: The Knowledge Problem in the Millennium Assessment
Colin Filer
Chapter 5. Creolising Conservation: Caribbean Responses to Global Trends in Environmental Management
Tighe Geoghegan
Chapter 6. Uncivil Society: Local Stakeholders and Environmental Protection in Jamaica
Andrew Garner
Chapter 7. ‘The Report Was Written for Money to Come’: Constructing and Reconstructing the Case for Conservation in Papua New Guinea
Flip van Helden
Conclusion: Can the World Be Micromanaged?
Josiah McC. Heyman
Notes on Contributors
Index
