PLT2990

The politics of environmentalism

Robyn Eckersley

8 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Clayton

Objectives On successful completion of this subject students are expected to demonstrate a broad understanding of the diverse character and claims of the modern environment movement (including green parties), the new environmental ethics debates, and the major environment and development debates within the wider national and international domain (particularly the sustainable development debate). Students are also expected to have a general grasp of the global challenges raised by the ecological crisis and the major contemporary political and institutional responses at both the national and international levels.

Synopsis This subject provides a comprehensive introduction to environmental politics. Both conventional and radical environmental policy debates will be critically examined. Part one explores the ecological crisis, the rise of modern environmentalism, the ecological critique of industrialism and economic growth, the new environmental spectrum, the emergence of green political parties and the new challenges posed to mainstream political theory by the ecological crisis. Part two explores the key environment and development debates at the international level to set the context for an exploration of environment/development conflicts and policy debates in Australia. Special attention will be given to broad policy questions such as the sustainable development debate, Federal-State conflict over the environment, the impact of environmentalism on Australian governmental institutions, the High Court's Mabo decision and a range of green political economy questions.

Assessment Essay (3000 words): 50% - Examination (3 hours): 50%

Recommended texts

Des Jardins J R Environmental ethics: An introduction to environmental philosophy Wadsworth, 1992
Doyle T and Kellow A Environmental politics and policy making in Australia Macmillan, 1995
Eckersley R Environmentalism and political theory SUNY Press, 1992
Mercer D A question of balance: Natural resources conflict issues in Australia 2nd edn, Federation, 1995
Toyne P The reluctant nation: Environment, law and politics in Australia ABC, 1994

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