Ecoviolence: Links Among Enviroment, Population, and Security - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0847688704 ISBN 13: 9780847688708

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1998

Synopsis

Ecoviolence explores links between environmental scarcities of key renewable resourcessuch as cropland, fresh water, and forestsand violent rebellions, insurgencies, and ethnic clashes in developing countries. Detailed contemporary studies of civil violence in Chiapas, Gaza, South Africa, Pakistan, and Rwanda show how environmental scarcity has played a limited to significant role in causing social instability in each of these contexts.

About this title

About the Author

Thomas Homer-Dixon is associate professor of political science and director of the peace and conflict studies program at the University of Toronto. Jessica Blitt is an M.A. candidate at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs in Ottawa and an honors graduate of and former research assistant for the peace and conflict studies program at the University of Toronto.

Review

These days speculation is rampant about whether environmental stresses and scarcities are factors contributing to violent conflict within societies. This volume―based on carefully structured case studies from five very different countries―offers a valuable reality check. Ecoviolence effectively demonstrates that the causal relationships between the environment and societal unrest are considerably more complex than is widely presumed. (Marvin S. Soroos, North Carolina State University)

At last, Thomas Homer-Dixon and Jessica Blitt have brought together the products of a major research effort in one volume. This is a very readable book and highly recommended for all courses that deal with the environment and security. (Dennis Pirages, University of Maryland at College Park)

In bringing together these separately published studies, the editors have provided a readable summary of the research projects. (John I. Clarke, University of Durham, UK Population and Development Review)

Whether installing a Republican majority or a Democratic majority, and whether loathing or liking Congress, citizens' attraction to congressional incumbents continues to dominate vote choice to such an extent that it is difficult to see the largerpicture. By focusing on those races with no incumbent running, Gaddie and Bullock are able to provide a remarkably fresh look at the dynamics of modern House races. Along the way they offer surprising results and a clear refutation of the belief that there is nothing new to say about congressional elections. (John R. Hibbing, University of Nebraska)

Throughout Ecoviolence, the various authors usually give carefully constructed accounts that avoid overstating the environmental case. Ecoviolence gives a much better picture of how environmental concerns can produce frequently unmanageable civil wars and regional warfare. (Journal of Conflict Studies)

This is a fascinating and well-written analysis which is "must" reading for any course or other serious analysis of the interplay between the environment and popular uprisings in response to its continuing degradation. (American Society of International Law)

"Whether installing a Republican majority or a Democratic majority, and whether loathing or liking Congress, citizens' attraction to congressional incumbents continues to dominate vote choice to such an extent that it is difficult to see the larger picture. By focusing on those races with no incumbent running, Gaddie and Bullock are able to provide a remarkably fresh look at the dynamics of modern House races. Along the way they offer surprising results and a clear refutation of the belief that there is nothing new to say about congressional elections." (John R. Hibbing, University of Nebraska)

Both the introduction and the case studies are illuminating and can be recommended as baskgrounds to investigations of environmental security. (Geographical Journal)

Edition details

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0847688704
• ISBN 13: 9780847688708
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 248
• Editor: Thomas Homer-Dixon, Jessica Blitt