Book Review

by Paul Ganderton

Papadakis E. 1997. Environmental Politics and Institutional Change. Cambridge University Press. pp xiii + 240. ISBN 0 521 55631 7. £40.00.

Whatever one's feelings about the environment, change will only come about in this system as a result of political process. From this basic premise, Papadakis explores the way in which institutions respond to environmental concerns. His basic thesis is the exploration of the effectiveness of conventional political fora to address the need for change. Given the range of actors involved such a study is fraught with difficulties. The two initial chapters describe the basic terminology and set the scene in terms of the rise of environmentalism. The very brief third chapter provides the framework for the study. The subsequent 13 chapters are divided into three parts looking at, respectively, political institutions, organisation and adaptation and the media and public opinion. Many of the cases studied are from Australia but the ideas put forward could be tested elsewhere. A final chapter both synthesises previous information and posits a way forward through constructive dialogue. Appendices contain notes and references as well as a key to tables in the text (an unusual location given the information contained).

This is an academic text with the usual blend of theory and practice. It is too advanced for school students but should be a useful undergraduate text in a range of environmental courses. Teachers and others with an interest in change could also benefit from this text.