The vulnerable planet : a short economic history of the environment /

Foster reviews the economic history of the environment and finds that even ancient empires were debilitated by environmental lapses and that like them, current environmental problems are rooted in societal rather than natural causes. According to the author, the development of European and later American imperialism caused wealth to flow to developed nations even as a return flow consigned to the colonies poverty and population increases. He cites Charles Dickens to indicate that industrialization in England was socially and environmentally disruptive. For Foster (sociology, Univ. of Oregon), the root causes of environmental decline lie in the twin evils of capitalism and imperialism. Although he does not discuss environmental pollution in Eastern Europe, he does mention the former Soviet Union and its well-known ecological problems. According to his analysis the former USSR was forced by threats from hostile nations to build up its military strength, and this resulted in an overemphasis on production at the expense of both its citizens and its environment. He identifies Kerela, a state in India led by Marxist politicians, and Nicaragua, under its leftist government, as successful models of environmental management. Those seeking a brief explanation of environmental degradation from a Marxian perspective will find one here. General; undergraduate. P. J. Pizor Northwest College