book looks interesting

[poopfuel]

Definitely read the book description
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0595346146/ref=ase_httpbiosblogc-20/102-8352310-9672932?redirect=true&n=283155&tagActionCode=httpbiosblogc-20

[librechik]

1. wow--great concept

Toward a Bioregional State: A Series of Letters About Political Theory and Formal Institutional Design in the Era of Sustainability (Paperback)


Book Description
Environmental sociologist Mark D. Whitaker is a comparative historical researcher on the politics of environmental degradation and sustainability. Toward A Bioregional State is his novel approach to development and to sustainability. He proposes that instead of sustainability being an issue of population scale, managerial economics, or technocratic planning, an overhaul of formal democratic institutions is required. This is because environmental degradation has more to do with the biased interactions of formal institutions and informal corruption. Because of corruption, we have environmental degradation. Current formal democratic institutions of states are forms of informal gatekeeping, and as such, intentionally maintain democracy as ecologically “out of sync”. He argues that we are unable to reach sustainability without a host of additional ecological checks and balances. These ecological checks and balances would demote corrupt uses of formal institutions by removing capacities for gatekeeping against democratic feedback. Sustainability is a politics that is already here—only waiting to be formally organized.

BTW--if you put more details in your headline and post, more folks will read it!

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

About the Author
Environmental sociologist Dr. Mark D. Whitaker has puzzled over comparative political dynamics of environmental degradation for 10 years. Toward a Bioregional State shows how state institutional change is a requirement for environmental sustainability. He lives in the Upper Rock watershed, Madison, Wisconsin, and enjoys the changing seasons at the UW-Arboretum.

Product Details