Sociological Theory and the Environment: Classical Foundations, Contemporary Insights

Sociological Theory and the Environment is a comprehensive survey and assessment of sociological theories of the relations between societies and their 'natural' biophysical environment. This book touches on and addresses virtually all of the major perspectives, focal points, and debates in environmental sociology today-classical and twentieth century social theories, macro-micro linkage issues, globalization and development, reflexive modernization, ecological modernization vs. 'limits' viewpoints, modernity and post modernity, risk society, constructionalism-realism, environmental movements/identities, consumption and environment, cultural sociologies of the environment, and so on. At the same time, the book aims to go beyond an inventory of environmental sociological theory. Sociological Theory and the Environment stresses how new ground can be broken in the articulation of environmental sociology with major classical and contemporary sociological theories.

Ted Benton is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Essex, UK.

Rosemary McKechnie is in the Bath College of Higher Education.

Elizabeth Shove is Professor of Sociology at Lancaster University.

ALAN WARDE is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Centre for Research in Innovation and Competition at the University of Manchester, UK.