Civil Society and the Environment:

1
Civil Society and the Environment
Understanding the Dynamics and Impacts of the
U.S. Environmental Movement Robert
Brulle Drexel University J. Craig Jenkins Ohio
State This research is supported by a
research grant from the National Science
Foundation Grant for the project Civil Society
and the Environment The Mobilization of the
U.S. Environmental Movement, 1900-2000, and by
the Aspen Institute, for the project Foundation
Funding For Environmental Advocacy. Co-PI J.
Craig Jenkins, Ohio State University. Further
information available at http//www.pages.drexel.
edu/brullerj/research.htm
2
The Environmental Movement and Social Learning
Social Learning and Social Movements ? Social
movement organizations key actors in
fostering process of social change ? Based in
civil society and linguistic agreement ?
Outside of logics of profitability or
maintenance of political power ? Act
independently of market or government
influence ? Mobilize individuals to promote
social change ? Create political pressure to
create alternative social institutions
3
Framework for the Analysis of the Dynamics and
Impacts of the U.S. Environmental Movement
Political Opportunity Structure
Political Alignment Control of Congress Control
of Executive Branch Elite Divisions Political
Crisis Political Allies
Environmental NGOs Size Members, Staff,
Financial Resources Movement Org.
Characteristics Density, Survival Rates,
Networks, Discursive Frame Distribution Individua
l Org. Characteristics Governance, Sources of
Funding, Tactics Discursive Frame Actions Demo
nstrations, Lobbying, Environmental Education,
Press Releases, Boycotts
Opposition Levels Number and Nature of Police
actions against env. mvt actions Size/actions of
Environmental Countermovement
Cultural Dynamics
Elite Opinion Vital Speeches Presidential State
of the Union Address
Foundations Characteristics (Type,
Governance) Funding Strategies (Programatic,
General) Funding Levels Funding Priorities
Intellectual Opinion Books
Media Coverage Newspapers Magazines Television
Periodic Events Election Years Economic Situation
(expansion or recession) Military
Conflict Environmental Disasters
Public Opinion Polls
4
Political Opportunities and Social Movements

• Political Opportunity Structure - dimensions of
  the political environment that provide incentives
  for collective action by affecting peoples
  expectations for success or failure.
• Variable Components of Political Opportunity
  Structure
• Shifting Political Alignments
• - Divided Elites- competing elites openes
  up possibilities for successful challenges
• - Influential Allies - aids in encouraging
  movement by use of political power
• - Financial Support by Foundation
• - Extent of other social movements which
  creates potential alliances with other groups
• 2. Opposition Levels
• - Extent of Repression - state actions to either
  facilitate or repress social movements
• - Amount and nature of Countermovement
  Mobilization
• Periodic Events
• - Wars, Economic Depressions

5
Source Brulle, Robert J, and Jenkins, J. Craig.
2005. "Foundations and the Environmental
Movement Priorities, Strategies, and Impact" in
Faber, Daniel and McCarthy, Debra, Foundations
for Social Change Critical Perspectives on
Philanthropy and Popular Movements Rowman
Littlefield
6
(No Transcript)
7
(No Transcript)
8
Cultural Dynamics The creation of organized
social movements is based in the creation of a
new alternative worldview defining, analyzing,
and providing prescription to address a situation
defined as problematic 1. Social movements
initially form around the ideas generated by
intellectuals in critical communities 2.
Provide by a collective identity by the work of
the critical community, social movement
entrepreneurs form organizations to spread the
alternative world view throughout society
3. Creates a unique movement Discursive Frame
an action oriented set of beliefs and meanings
that inspire and legitimate social movement
activities and campaigns. This provides an
alternative worldview from which challengers act
to seek change. Frame Analysis - examines
worldviews that inform the practices of social
movements
9
WORLDVIEWS OF THE PROPER RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN NATURE AND SOCIETY IN THE UNITED STATES
WISE USE The natural environment is unproductive
and valueless without development. Hence the
exploitation and development of abundant natural
resources for economic development contributes
directly to human welfare. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
The scientific management of ecosystems can
ensure stable populations of wildlife. This
wildlife population can be seen as a crop from
which excess populations can be sustainably
harvested in accordance with the ecological
limitations of a given area. This excess wildlife
population can be used for human recreation in
sport hunting. CONSERVATION Natural resources
should be technically managed from a utilitarian
perspective to realize the greatest good for the
greatest number of people over the longest period
of time. PRESERVATION Nature is an important
component in supporting both the physical and
spiritual life of humans. Hence the continued
existence of wilderness and wildlife, undisturbed
by human action is necessary. REFORM
ENVIRONMENTALISM Human health is linked to
ecosystem conditions. To maintain a healthy human
society, ecologically responsible actions are
necessary. These actions can be developed and
implemented through the use of natural
sciences. DEEP ECOLOGY The richness and
diversity of all life on earth has intrinsic
value, and so human life is privileged only to
the extent of satisfying vital needs. Maintenance
the diversity of life on earth mandates a
decrease in human impacts on the natural
environment, and substantial increases in the
wilderness areas of the globe. ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE Ecological problems occur because of the
structure of society and the imperatives this
structure creates for the continued exploitation
of nature. Hence, the resolution of environmental
problems requires fundamental social
change. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Human health is
the outcome of a number of interactions with
physical, chemical, biological and social factors
in the natural environment. Additionally, human
health is directly impacted by toxic substances
and pollution. To ensure community health
requires a livable and healthy community, with
adequate social services, and elimination of
exposures to toxic or polluting substances.
ECOFEMINISM Ecosystem abuse is rooted in
androcentric concepts institutions. Relations
of complementarily rather than superiority
between culture/nature, human/nonhuman, and
male/female are needed to resolve the conflict
between the human and natural worlds. ECOSPIRITUA
LISM Nature is God's creation, and humanity has
a moral obligation to keep and tend the Creation.
Hence, natural and unpolluted ecosystems and
biodiversity needs to be preserved.
10
(No Transcript)
11
(No Transcript)
12
(No Transcript)
13
Resource Mobilization Theory

• Resource Mobilization Analysis analyses of the
  dynamics of social movement growth, decline and
  change through examining the processes by which
  social movement organizations maintain sufficient
  membership and financial resources to carry out
  organized efforts for social change
• Areas of Emphasis
• 1. Size of organization in terms of financial
  support, membership, and volunteer labor
• 2. Organizational Structure governance,
  staff-member relations
• Organizational Legitimacy and Competition
• Organizational Practices i.e. Issue Focus,
  Strategy, Tactics

14
(No Transcript)
15
Political Impact of the Environmental Movement
Tilly, C. 1999. From Interactions to Outcomes in
Social Movements in Giugni, M. et. al. How Social
Movements Matter
Rucht, D. 1999. Impact of Environmental
Movements, in Giugni, M. et. al. How Social
Movements Matter
16
(No Transcript)
17
Long Term Research Objective Analysis of
Environment Society Interactions
Economic Practices
Governmental Actions
Individual Consumption Level of Consumption Type
of Consumption Population Levels
Political Opportunity Structure
Levels/Nature of Capital Investment Profit
Rate Advertising Levels Technology Use Levels of
Environmental Employment Levels of Business
Expenditures on Pollution Prevention
Policy Development Hearing Bills Introduced Bills
Enacted Judicial Findings
Political Alignment Control of Congress Control
of Executive Branch Elite Divisions Political
Crisis Political Allies
Pollution Waste
Policy Implementation Regulations Issued Budget
Appropriations Personnel Assignments Enforcement
Actions
Withdrawal of Raw Materials and Ecosystem Services
Opposition Levels Number and Nature of Police
actions against env. mvt actions Size/actions of
Environmental Countermovement
Environmental Conditions
Built Environment Land Use Patterns Production
Distribution of Pollution Natural Resource
Consumption
Government Facilities Infrastructure
Development Government Facility Pollution
Pollution Waste
Foundations Characteristics (Type,
Governance) Funding Strategies (Programatic,
General) Funding Levels Funding Priorities
Physical Environment Land Quality Water
Quality Air Quality Global Climate
System Nutrient Cycling
Environmental Movement Size Members, Staff,
Financial Resources Movement Org.
Characteristics Density, Survival Rates,
Networks, Discursive Frame Distribution Individua
l Org. Characteristics Governance, Sources of
Funding, Tactics Discursive Frame Actions Demo
nstrations, Lobbying, Environmental Education,
Press Releases, Boycotts
Periodic Events Election Years Economic Situation
(expansion or recession) Military
Conflict Environmental Disasters
Natural Environment Species Diversity/Distribution
Ecosystem Functioning
Human Dimensions of Environmental Change