Customer Reviews

The Green State: Rethinking Democracy and Sovereignty

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"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.