Biosphere Politics

Challenges conventional visions of the future by suggesting a new course for society based on humanity's responsibilities to the living earth

Rifkin, the controversial critic of technology and culture ( Entropy , LJ 9/1/80), uses the metaphor of "enclosure" here to trace the development of contemporary culture and its flawed relationship to the biosphere. As such, this well-written book is often interesting--chapters on changes in the family unit, the concept of ownership, and the notion of privacy are all good summaries of social history--but his argument leans on the historically weak reed of humankind recognizing the error of its ways and correcting them. The "politics" of the title only come through in the last section and involve the usual suspects of removing international borders, working together to dismantle multinational corporations, preserving natural resources, etc. In light of the recent Gulf war and its aftermath, Rifkin's thesis, which seeks to unite democratic principles, environmental consciousness, and New Age spiritualism, seems at least anachronistic, if not downright quaint.
-Mark L. Shelton, Athens, Ohio
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.