Environmental Policy and Politics

Preface

 



Chapter 1: Environmental Problems and Politics

Environmental Policy and Politics         

Perspectives on Environmental Problems          

Scientific Knowledge and Its Use

Economics and Incentives 

Environmental Values and Ethics 

The Role of Government and Politics    

Democracy, Politics, and Environmental Policy 

Defining Environmental Policy  

Policy Typologies 

The Breadth of Environmental Policy 

Environmental Problems and Public Policy        

Defining the Problems: The Nature of Environmental Risks 

Coping with Environmental Risks 

Public Policy Responses          

Conclusions     

Discussion Questions   

Suggested Readings     

Endnotes         

 

Chapter 2: Judging the State of the Environment



Air Quality       

Gains in Air Quality and Remaining Problems 

Indoor Air Quality 

Acid Precipitation 

CFCs and the Stratospheric Ozone Layer 

Water Quality  

Pollution of Surface Waters 

Drinking Water Quality 

Toxic Chemicals and Hazardous Wastes          

Toxic Chemicals and Health Effects 

Hazardous Wastes 

Contaminated Federal Facilities 

Radioactive Wastes 

Solid Waste and Consumer Waste       

Energy Use and Climate Change          

The Nature of Energy Problems 

Fossil Fuels and the Threat of Climate Change 

Biological Diversity and Habitat Loss   

Biodiversity Loss and Implications 

Policy Actions and Effects 

Population Growth       

Population and Sustainable Development 

Growth Rates and Projected Population Increases 

Conclusions     

Discussion Questions   

Suggested Readings     

Endnotes

 

Chapter 3: Making Environmental Policy

Understanding Environmental Politics   

The Policy Process Model       

Agenda Setting 

Policy Formulation 

Policy Legitimation 

Policy Implementation 

Policy and Program Evaluation 

Policy Change 

Patterns in Environmental Policymaking

Characteristics of U.S. Government and Politics           

Constitutional and Political Features 

Institutional Fragmentation and Policy Stalemate 

The Benefits of Dispersed Power 

Conclusions     

Discussion Questions   

Suggested Readings     

Endnotes

 

Chapter 4: The Evolution of Environmental Policy and Politics

Natural Resources and Environmental Policies in Historical Perspective 

The Settlement and “Conquest” of Nature 

The Conservation Movement and Advances in Public Health 

From the New Deal to the Environmental Movement 

The Modern Environmental Movement and Policy Achievements          

Environmental Interest Groups 

Public Opinion and the Environment 

Environmental Issues in Election Campaigns

Political Reaction to Environmentalism  

Environmental Policy in the Reagan and Bush Administrations 

Clinton and Gore Reform Environmental Policy and Battle Congress 

George W. Bush and the Environment 

Conclusions     

Discussion Questions   

Suggested Readings     

Endnotes

 

Chapter 5: Environmental Protection Policy: Controlling Pollution

The Contours of Environmental Protection Policy

The Clean Air Act 

The Clean Water Act 

The Safe Drinking Water Act 

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 

The Toxic Substances Control Act 

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 

The Institutional Context of Policy Implementation

The EPA’s Organization, Budget, and Staff 

Working with the States 

Political Support and Opposition 

Setting Environmental Standards          

Environmental Goals and Objectives 

Environmental Quality Criteria 

Setting Quality Standards 

Emissions Standards 

Balancing Statutory Goals and Costs    

Adopting and Enforcing Regulations     

Administrative Rule Making 

Enforcement and Compliance 

White House Oversight 

Conclusions     

Discussion Questions   

Suggested Readings     

Endnotes


 

Chapter 6: Energy and Natural Resource Policies

Energy Policy: Goals and Means          

Indirect Policy Impacts 

Shifting Energy Priorities 

The Energy Policy Cycle: 1973—1989  

Carter’s National Energy Plan and Conservation Gains 

Reagan’s Nonpolicy on Energy 

Energy Policy for the Twenty-First Century      

The Bush Administration’s National Energy Strategy 

The Clinton Administration Tries Its Hand 

Energy Policy Under George W. Bush 

State and Local Energy Initiatives 

Natural Resources and Policy Change  

Environmental Stewardship or Economic Development? 

The Environmentalist Challenge to Resource Development 

Natural Resource Policies and Agencies 

Managing the Nation’s Forests 

Battles over Wilderness 

Governing the Range 

BLM Lands and the Sagebrush Rebellion 

Other Protected Lands and Agencies 

Environmental Impacts and Natural Resources Decision Making

The Endangered Species Act 

The National Environmental Policy Act 

Conclusions     

Discussion Questions

Suggested Readings

Endnotes

 

Chapter 7: Evaluating Environmental Policy

Critiques of Environmental Policy         

Environmental Policy Evaluation           

Program Outcomes   

Examining Decision Making and Institutions 

Signs of Progress         

Environmental Protection Policies 

Natural Resource Policies 

Data Assessment and Public Dialogue 

Costs, Benefits, and Risks        

Comparing Risks and Setting Priorities 

Controversies over Cost—Benefit Analysis and Risk Assessment 

Environmentalists’ Use of Economic Analysis 

Jobs, the Economy, and the Environment          

Employment, Business Costs, and Environmental Policy 

Seeking Common Ground: Toward Environmental Sustainability  Environmental Justice 

Reforming Environmental Regulation     

The Case for Policy Alternatives

Assessing New Policy Approaches 

New Directions in Energy and Natural Resources Policy           

The Appeal of User Fees 

Privatization of Public Land 

Social Cost Accounting 

Government Purchasing Power 

Ecosystem Management 

Conclusions     

Discussion Questions   

Suggested Readings     

Endnotes

 

Chapter 8: Environmental Policy and Politics for the Twenty-First Century

Environmental Goals and Policy Choices: Domestic and Global 

Three Generations of Environmental Policy and Politics 

Toward Sustainable Development?      

The President’s Council on Sustainable Development 

Sustainable Development at State and Local Levels 

Business and the Environment 

Citizens and the Environment 

International Environmental Policy and Politics  

Environmental Institutions and Policies 

Institutional Capacity for Global Sustainable Development 

Political Conflict and Global Environmental Policy         

Climate Change 

Protection of Biological Diversity 

Population Growth and Economic Development

Conclusions     

Discussion Questions   

Suggested Readings     

Endnotes 

  

References

 

Index