Ecoviolence: Links Among Enviroment, Population, and Security [Paperback]

Thomas Homer-Dixon (Editor), Jessica Blitt (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0847688704 | ISBN-13: 978-0847688708 | Publication Date: September 3, 1998

Ecoviolence explores links between environmental scarcities of key renewable resources_such as cropland, fresh water, and forests_and violent rebellions, insurgencies, and ethnic clashes in developing countries. Detailed contemporary studies of civil violence in Chiapas, Gaza, South Africa, Pakistan, and Rwanda show how environmental scarcity has played a limited to significant role in causing social instability in each of these contexts. Drawing upon theory and key findings from the case studies, the authors suggest that environmental scarcity will worsen in many poor countries in coming decades and will become an increasingly important cause of major civil violence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

These days speculation is rampant about whether environmental stresses and scarcities are factors contributing to violent conflict within societies. This volume—based on carefully structured case studies from five very different countries—offers a valuable reality check. Ecoviolence effectively demonstrates that the causal relationships between the environment and societal unrest are considerably more complex than is widely presumed. (Soroos, Marvin S. )

At last, Thomas Homer-Dixon and Jessica Blitt have brought together the products of a major research effort in one volume. This is a very readable book and highly recommended for all courses that deal with the environment and security. (Dennis Pirages )

In bringing together these separately published studies, the editors have provided a readable summary of the research projects. (John I. Clarke Population and Development Review )

Whether installing a Republican majority or a Democratic majority, and whether loathing or liking Congress, citizens' attraction to congressional incumbents continues to dominate vote choice to such an extent that it is difficult to see the largerpicture. By focusing on those races with no incumbent running, Gaddie and Bullock are able to provide a remarkably fresh look at the dynamics of modern House races. Along the way they offer surprising results and a clear refutation of the belief that there is nothing new to say about congressional elections. (John R. Hibbing )

Throughout Ecoviolence, the various authors usually give carefully constructed accounts that avoid overstating the environmental case. Ecoviolence gives a much better picture of how environmental concerns can produce frequently unmanageable civil wars and regional warfare. (The Journal Of Conflict Studies )

This is a fascinating and well-written analysis which is "must" reading for any course or other serious analysis of the interplay between the environment and popular uprisings in response to its continuing degradation. (American Society Of International Law Newsletter )

"Whether installing a Republican majority or a Democratic majority, and whether loathing or liking Congress, citizens' attraction to congressional incumbents continues to dominate vote choice to such an extent that it is difficult to see the larger picture. By focusing on those races with no incumbent running, Gaddie and Bullock are able to provide a remarkably fresh look at the dynamics of modern House races. Along the way they offer surprising results and a clear refutation of the belief that there is nothing new to say about congressional elections." (John R. Hibbing )

Both the introduction and the case studies are illuminating and can be recommended as baskgrounds to investigations of environmental security. (Geographical Journal )

About the Author

Thomas Homer-Dixon is associate professor of political science and director of the peace and conflict studies program at the University of Toronto. Jessica Blitt is an M.A. candidate at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs in Ottawa and an honors graduate of and former research assistant for the peace and conflict studies program at the University of Toronto.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (September 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847688704
• ISBN-13: 978-0847688708
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #952,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars TayMara's Review!!, December 8, 2010

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TayMara - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ecoviolence: Links Among Enviroment, Population, and Security (Paperback)

The main focus of the book was to give evidence supporting the thesis; "there is a connection between environmental scarcities and the rise in violent conflict." The book was a very interesting topic to learn about. There was a connection that could be made to every argument the Thomas raised. When the author made a statement it was followed up with an example from one of the five countries that were focused on throughout the book. The author did a good job of giving complete overview of all five places. Chiapas, Gaza, Pakistan, South Africa and Rwanda were the cases presented in the book. Thomas proved the thesis to be true by offering countless examples of historical events resulting directly from an environmental scarcity. Through the definitions provided by the author the book explained how there are three different scarcities that lead/ cause violent conflict within these countries. With environmental scarcities including deficit of water, soil erosion due to overuse of land, lack of forest, cropland, fisheries and global warming.
Thomas gives environmental scarcities the following definition; the scarcity of renewable resources. Thomas argues "By making some people poorer and weaker and others richer and more powerful, and by causing people to move to new locations where they are often not wanted, and by weakening key institutions such as state, environmental scarcity boosts grievances." (p11) He is stating that this ultimately leads the rebellion against government and persons. Thomas gives the example of mal-distribution of natural resources especially land in Chiapas, Mexico. He states that the population continues to grow but it is simply the wealthier percentage of the population that continues to see the increased amounts of land. Which leads to the uproar amongst the poorest of the population, causing destruction to whatever they can to bring attention to them. Makes connections throughout the book that support his defenses of supply induced, demand induced and structural environmental scarcities. Very interesting book to read it will give you a different perspective on the environment and violence.