The Green State: Rethinking Democracy and Sovereignty [Paperback]

Robyn Eckersley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 5, 2004

What would constitute a definitively "green" state? In this important new book, Robyn Eckersley explores what it might take to create a green democratic state as an alternative to the classical liberal democratic state, the indiscriminate growth-dependent welfare state, and the neoliberal market-focused state -- seeking, she writes, "to navigate between undisciplined political imagination and pessimistic resignation to the status quo." In recent years, most environmental scholars and environmentalists have characterized the sovereign state as ineffectual and have criticized nations for perpetuating ecological destruction. Going consciously against the grain of much current thinking, this book argues that the state is still the preeminent political institution for addressing environmental problems. States remain the gatekeepers of the global order, and greening the state is a necessary step, Eckersley argues, toward greening domestic and international policy and law.The Green State seeks to connect the moral and practical concerns of the environmental movement with contemporary theories about the state, democracy, and justice. Eckersley's proposed "critical political ecology" expands the boundaries of the moral community to include the natural environment in which the human community is embedded. This is the first book to make the vision of a "good" green state explicit, to explore the obstacles to its achievement, and to suggest practical constitutional and multilateral arrangements that could help transform the liberal democratic state into a postliberal green democratic state. Rethinking the state in light of the principles of ecological democracy ultimately casts it in a new role: that of an ecological steward and facilitator of transboundary democracy rather than a selfish actor jealously protecting its territory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Although the question of the state is unavoidable for green political theory, a systematic and comprehensive treatment of the state in a green context has until now been lacking. That gap is admirably filled by Robyn Eckersley's *The Green State*, which works through contending theories of the state, both in domestic and international contexts, to fashion a powerful and original argument. This is a major and important contribution."--Douglas Torgerson, Department of Political Studies, Trent UniversityPlease note: Endorser gives permission to excerpt from quote, but we should probably get his approval for a shortened quote.

"A magnificent achievement which will be a key point of reference for years to come." Andrew Dobson, Department of Government and Politics, Open University, UK

"Eckersley's book will be a significant contribution for those in several subfields of politics—theory, comparative, international—for those concerned about green politics, and for those who work on theories of the state." Ronnie Lipschutz, Department of Politics, University of California, Santa Cruz

" The Green State is certain to alter the terms of the debate about the state and world politics. It will be the first port of call for analysts of the state and the global environment for years to come, but its influence will almost certainly extend beyond these confines to many other areas of contemporary social and political inquiry." Andrew Linklater, Woodrow Wilson Professor, University of Wales, Aberystwyth

"In this compelling book Robyn Eckersley challenges much green pessimism about the state's capacity to contribute to ecological reform. She draws on an extensive literature in critical theory, political philosophy, international relations and the global environment to develop 'a cautiously optimistic assessment' of the prospects for 'ecologically responsible statehood.' *The Green State* is certain to alter the terms of the debate about the state and world politics. It will be the first port of call for analysts of the state and the global environment for years to come, but its influence will almost certainly extend beyond these confines to many other areas of contemporary social and political inquiry."--Andrew Linklater, Woodrow Wilson Professor, University of Wales, AberystwythPlease note: Endorser gives permission to excerpt from quote.

From the Inside Flap

"A magnificent achievement which will be a key point of reference for years to come."
--Andrew Dobson, Department of Government and Politics, Open University

"Eckersley's book will be a significant contribution for those in several subfields of politics -- theory, comparative, international -- for those concerned about green politics, and for those who work on theories of the state. It is especially significant that she offers critical assessments of both the realist perspective on the environmental crisis and the limits of the greening of the liberal democractic state."
--Ronnie Lipschutz, Department of Politics, University of California, Santa Cruz

"Although the question of the state is unavoidable for green political theory, a systematic and comprehensive treatment of the state in a green context has until now been lacking. That gap is admirably filled by Robyn Eckersley's *The Green State*, which works through contending theories of the state, both in domestic and international contexts, to fashion a powerful and original argument. This is a major and important contribution."
--Douglas Torgerson, Department of Political Studies, Trent University

"In this compelling book Robyn Eckersley challenges much green pessimism about the state's capacity to contribute to ecological reform. She draws on an extensive literature in critical theory, political philosophy, international relations and the global environment to develop 'a cautiously optimistic assessment' of the prospects for 'ecologically responsible statehood.' *The Green State* is certain to alter the terms of the debate about the state and world politics. It will be the first port of call for analysts of the state and the global environment for years to come, but its influence will almost certainly extend beyond these confines to many other areas of contemporary social and political inquiry."
--Andrew Linklater, Woodrow Wilson Professor, University of Wales, Aberystwyth

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (March 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262550563
• ISBN-13: 978-0262550567
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #692,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A significant contribution to green political thought, May 27, 2006

By 

Malvin (Frederick, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Green State: Rethinking Democracy and Sovereignty (Paperback)

"The Green State" by Robyn Eckersley proposes a visionary theory of ecological democracy. Ms. Eckersley believes that it is possible for the state to transform itself from its current role as an enforcer of elite privilege to one that embraces democracy and environmental justice. Through an intelligent discussion of history as well as political and legal philosophy, she presents a credible case about how a green state might emerge. In doing so, the author has made a significant contribution to green political thought that may well prove to be influential for many years to come.

Citing the European Union as an example, Ms. Eckersley contends that state self-interest and the environment can partner in ways that strengthen inter-state relations. Drawing on the work of James O'Connor, Ms. Eckersley believes that diverse social movements responding to degraded environmental conditions will coalesce to demand greater accountability from government. The author imagines a push towards "ecological enlightenment" where a radically reflexive and democratic state might be able to curtail and discipline the economic forces that drive environmental destruction.

To theorize the legal mechanisms that might enable this change of events to occur, Ms. Eckersley finds inspiration in Jurgen Habermas' ideas about communicative justice. She believes that within the context of environmental democracy, where property might be thought to belong within the public trust, the stewardship ethic and precautionary principles can prevail. The author makes a strong case that the state must play a key role in mediating the greatly expanded democratic dialogue necessary to help empower both the human and nonhuman communities who today have little to no voice in the economic decisions that effect their lives. To that end, the author presents a number of imaginative ways in which diverse representation can be institutionalized and thereby help curb the routine practice of displacing risk onto the weak and defenseless.

Similarly, dialogue must extend beyond the borders of the nation state to include all effected communities. Ms. Eckersley points out that overlapping structures of rule, such as the Arhuus Convention on environmental information rights, depend on states for implementation at the local level. The author thinks that clusters of enlightened states will serve as models for others to emulate and will help bring greater international cooperation to fruition.

Throughout the book, Ms. Eckersley introduces external counterarguments while acknolwedging some of the practical limitations and obstacles in the way of her proposals. Her long view of history and reasoned defense of her ideas ultimately build a credible case and provides the reader with a measure of hope that the author's vision of sovereignty and democracy working together to build a just and sustainable world might come to pass.

I highly recommend this remarkable book to everyone.