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Part 3: Reflections on the Study of Environmental Values

Chapter 9 How Shall We Study Environmental Values?

Joanne Bauer, Anna Davies

05/01/06

In this chapter from Forging Environmentalism, Joanne Bauer and Anna Davies explain the research methodology of the project upon which the book is based. In doing so, they discuss the challenges of studying values across cultures and across disciplines.

Advance Praise

This excellent book makes a key contribution to the literature on environmental movements by providing rich case material pertaining to four environmentally critical countries. The book's movement from specific cases to general discussion is particularly valuable. Forging Environmentalism will inform and instruct practitioners, students, and scholars alike.

—JAMES GUSTAVE SPETH
Yale University

The cross-cultural study of environmentalism must now take inspiration from this amazing book which almost miraculously explains the deepest motives of environmental policy, law, and politics by comparing important case studies from China, Japan, India, and the United States. These studies, all brilliantly described and deeply researched, show the reader how concepts such as legality, populism, justice, tenacity, and caring differ fundamentally across cultural contexts and yet retain a human commonality. This collection of riches will reward anyone who wants to understand environmentalism across nations and cultures.

—MARK SAGOFF
University of Maryland, College Park

Forging Environmentalism is an outstanding addition to the literature on environmental policymaking. The volume explores the decision making process in four countries—Japan, China, India, and the United States—through a set of rich case studies, each of which underscores the importance of culture in shaping understandings and approaches to environmental policy. Editor Joanne Bauer does a masterful job of weaving together these individual cases into a seamless story that makes the book valuable for specialist and student alike.

—ELIZABETH C. ECONOMY
Council On Foreign Relations