Sustainable Democracy

Individuality and the Politics of the Environment

One of the most fundamental dilemmas characterizing the end of the twentieth century is the tension between consumerism, on one hand, and the threats to our health and environment on the other. John Buell and Thomas S DeLuca provide a trenchant analysis of the growth of environmentalism during a period of increased conservatism and deregulation. First, they consider the myths that strengthen our understanding of environmental issues and their political ramifications. The authors then probe the intricate relation between economic growth and environmentalism. Finally, they suggest a series of principles and reforms that point to a way out of the bind that threatens to ensnare us.