Environmentalism and Cultural Theory: Exploring the Role of Anthropology in Environmental Discourse (Environment and Society)

The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in the attention paid by social scientists to environmental issues, and a gradual acknowledgement, in the wider community, of the role of social science in the public debate on sustainability. At the same time, the concept of `culture', once the property of anthropologists has gained wide currency among social scientist. These trends have taken place against a growing perception, among specialist and public, of the global nature of contemporary issues. This book shows how an understanding of culture can throw light on the way environmental issues are perceived and interpreted, both by local communities and within the contemporary global arena.Taking an anthropological approach the book examines the relationship between human culture and human ecology, and considers how a cultural approach to the study of environmental issues differs from other established approaches in social science. This book adds significantly to our understanding of environmentalism as a contemporary phenomenon, by demonstrating the distinctive contribution of social and cultural anthropology to the environmental debate. It will be of particular interest to students and researchers in the fields of social science and the environment. The Last Decade Has Seen A Dramatic Increase In The Attention Paid By Social Scientists To Environmental Issues, And A Gradual Acknowledgement In The Wider Community, Of The Role Of Social Science In The Public Debate On Sustainability. At The Same Time, The Concept Of Culture, Once The Property Of Anthropologists, Has Gained Wide Currency Among Social Scientists. The Book Shows How An Understanding Of Culture Can Throw Light On The Way Environmental Issues Are Perceived And Interpreted, Both By Local Communities And Within The Contemporary Global Arena. Taking An Anthropological Approach, The Book Examines The Relationship Between Human Culture And Human Ecology, And Considers How A Cultural Approach To The Study Of Environmental Issues Differs From Other Established Approaches In Social Science. This Book Adds Significantly To Our Understanding Of Environmentalism As A Contemporary Phenomenon, By Demonstrating The Distinctive Contribution Of Social And Cultural Anthropology To The Environmental Debate. Introduction: Social Science And Environmental Discourse -- Anthropology, Culture And Environmentalism -- Culture And Ecology -- Environmentalism In Social Science -- Environmentalism And Cultural Diversity -- Globalization, Culture And Discourse -- The Culture Of Global Environmentalist Discourse -- Anthropology, Social Science And Environmentalism. Kay Milton. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 236-256) And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Introduction: Social science and environmental discourse......Page 12 ANTHROPOLOGY, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTALISM......Page 19 CULTURE AND ECOLOGY......Page 48 ENVIRONMENTALISM IN SOCIAL SCIENCE......Page 80 ENVIRONMENTALISM AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY......Page 117 GLOBALIZATION, CULTURE AND DISCOURSE......Page 153 THE CULTURE OF GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTALIST DISCOURSE......Page 183 ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIAL SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTALISM......Page 224 Notes......Page 238 Bibliography......Page 247 Index......Page 268 Taking an anthroplogical approach, this work examines the relationship between human culture and human ecology. It considers how a cultural approach to the study of environmental issues differs from the established approaches to these issues made in social science.