Current Topic

• Environmental Activism

Articles

• When is enough...enough?
• Activists are like Scooby-doo: they dont have all the facts but they are still effective
• Collaborated Approach in Third World Countries
• Real Life Situtations
• Collaborated Approach
• A vital Component of Functional Model
• Structural-Functional vs Conflict Model
• Governments vs Activists
• Green Governing Our Future?
• A Dance Between Two Models
• Problems with Central Governance
• Gumbiment and Greenies
• Conflict or Compliance?

HomeAbout UsContact Us

Gumbiment and Greenies

Does government always make the best and most effective decisions for the environment? After all they have to please a cross section of world views.. and which view will keep them in power? Which position, and in whose opinion is the "right" one? On the other hand the environmental movement is often coloured with emotionalism. I am not willing to make a definitive decision on whether govt or environmentalists are doing the most/best for the environment just yet. I have to read a bit more and weigh it all up, rationally and objectively (attempting to put aside my 'gumbiment' biases!!). "Resisting the discourse: Rationality versus emotion..." by Welcomer et al 2000. They present an interesting case study.

The government provides a strong structured base that never lets its emotions get in the way of tough decisions. Hopefully, activists can take a leaf out of the ruling governments books and stand firm on a more argumentative base rather than playing on emotional upheaval, ethical value and environmental sovereignty.

The government as an institution has always, in my opinion functioned with some sort of structure.  This structure however has been reinforced in more recent years with the recognition of a need for and implementation of environmental legislation and regulation in response to environmental issues raised by concerned environmental activists.  This is an example of how once activism has occurred; the government has positively gained something for the environment. This is illustrated in the Functional Model.

However, I would suggest that in order for the government to be established in the Functional Model, some sort of conflict must have taken place between activists and regulators initially.  Thus the Functional Model in relation to how government regulates environmental legislation is a progression from the Conflict Model.

Having said this, environmentalist should perhaps no longer maintain their defensive role in society against governmental actions or as some would argue lack thereof.  Instead, as Healy for the Conservation Foundation suggests (1977) activists achieve their greatest environmental gains for the environment within the legislation, as opposed to contradicting its 'procedures'.  Although they (activists) are still party to disagreement, any conflict would then eventually become productive in regard to producing gains for the environment.