Most Americans today find it extremely hard to get straight, in-depth answers on any controversial questions in U.S. policy and politics. I've concluded that this is, as pollster Daniel Yankelovich has suggested, because the nation is fragmented into interest groups that don't communicate. We see highly polarized popular (trade) books on environmental issues on the left or right each getting high ratings from their partisans among Amazon voluntary reviewers - with those who disagree often drawing angry attacks. Academic books, especially those in the social sciences (including economics) are often constrained to avoid advocacy. They tend to focus on theoretical relationships and if they do approach sensitive issues use circumspect language or deal mainly with details that fail to involve "the big picture". Curiously - and sadly, the books by authors that want real-world, hard insights and answers, and take even-handed, holistic approaches - like Schreurs, get few reviews. Mine is the first for this book. I would like to know whether few readers are interested in the book, or those that have bought or used it don't need to look up the reference in Amazon, or are not inclined to offer reviews. It may be a combination.
Now, to get to the book. It turns out that Miranda Schreurs is a native of Maryland, U.S., but is a Professor of Law and Comparative Policy at the Free University, Berlin. She has studied environmental policies and politics in both the U.S. Japan, and Germany for many years, and became the Director of the Environmental Policy Research Centre in 2009. Judging by photos in a Google query on her, she is also an attractive woman.The book begins its approach by laying down key data on the three nations in question, like GNP per capita, population, number of cars per capita, relative percentages of endangered species, and fish catch. Surprisingly, given Germany's strong record in environmental performance in recent years, Schreurs reports that in Germany 68% of all known species of fish and 37% of mammals are threatened with extinction, vs. relatively small percentages in the U.S.
In each section, such as descriptions of the early history of environmental policy development, Schreurs avoids peripheral and distractive detail and homes in on key points and documentable generalizations. E.g. in each country before 1960 environment was primarily a local matter. She points out the early conflicts over environment in Germany - primarily concerned with reconstruction in the early post World War II years, and cites claims that Dr. Dieter Genscher, "a very clever politician", moved Germany toward environment in the early 1970s, influenced by the "greening of President Richard Nixon"! The three governing principles in the German movement of the 70s were the Precautionary Principle, Polluter Pays, and The Cooperation Principle. I.e. all decisions should be developed by close cooperation among all affected parties, including business.
German economic progress as well as environmental success has accelerated since Schreurs' book was published. But the vast difference between German and U.S. environmental policy development is, in my opinion, significantly explained by the the cooperation principle - a concept later advocated by Gro Harlem Brundtland in the report of the UN Commission of 1987. That Commission report proposed sustainable development as the overriding goal for the United Nations. It has been accepted by all 27 EU member nations.
The book is full of important observations and conclusions. While one may be able to suggest relationships that Schreurs does not mention or underrates, like for example Germany's enormous industrial prowess - I found no statements or positions that were poorly supported or suggested ideological or other bias.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
