Markets, the State and the Environment: An Overview

Abstract

Although the emergence of widespread popular concern over environmental problems is typically dated from the 1960s, the 1980s decade is more likely to be remembered as the period during which environmentalism rose to prominence in terms of the degree of media saturation, public concern and national and international political debate given over to environmental problems. This was also the decade that saw the emergence of Green parties as a new minority political force — a symptom of increasing frustration and disillusionment with the capacity of established political parties and the policy-making process to address ecological problems. The mounting popular concern and political agitation over the environment have exerted pressure on governments around the world to move from a piecemeal and largely reactive response towards a more integrated and anticipatory strategy.