Journal Article - Environmental Politics
Modernisation, Authoritarianism, and the Environment: The Politics of China's South-North Water Transfer Project
Abstract
China presents a paradox for scholars of environmental politics. Environmental politics and policymaking in China now includes elements critical to environmental protection in the West, including non-governmental participation and stringent environmental legislation. Yet the country's authoritarian system constrains popular participation, and environmental outcomes are generally poor. China's South–North Water Transfer Project (SNWTP) embodies this puzzle: despite the pluralisation and development of environmental politics and policymaking, the SNWTP is a technocratic mega-project that imposes high social, economic, and environmental costs. What explains this puzzle, and what are the implications for understanding environmental politics in other authoritarian developing countries? I evaluate two current theories — Ecological Modernisation and Authoritarian Environmentalism — against the SNWTP case, and argue that it illustrates the ability of governments to co-opt environmental politics to pursue other strategic objectives, in turn necessitating greater attention to the mix of persuasive and coercive strategies in environmental politics.
Read the entire article here (log in may be required): http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09644016.2014.943544
For more information on this publication:
Please contact
Energy Technology Innovation Policy
For Academic Citation:
Moore, Scott. “Modernisation, Authoritarianism, and the Environment: The Politics of China's South-North Water Transfer Project.” Environmental Politics, vol. 23. no. 6. (November 2014): 1-20 .
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
News
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Charting a Course for Working-Level Cooperation in the Arctic
News
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Exploring Arctic Sustainability: Enhancing Resilience, Addressing Land Degradation and Permafrost Thaw Through Indigenous Empowerment
Analysis & Opinions
- Foreign Policy
Do Policy Schools Still Have a Point?
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Analysis & Opinions
- Foreign Policy
The Morality of Ukraine's War Is Very Murky
Analysis & Opinions
- The Sunday Times
China is Using Every Trick for World Domination
Paper
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Attacking Artificial Intelligence: AI’s Security Vulnerability and What Policymakers Can Do About It
Abstract
China presents a paradox for scholars of environmental politics. Environmental politics and policymaking in China now includes elements critical to environmental protection in the West, including non-governmental participation and stringent environmental legislation. Yet the country's authoritarian system constrains popular participation, and environmental outcomes are generally poor. China's South–North Water Transfer Project (SNWTP) embodies this puzzle: despite the pluralisation and development of environmental politics and policymaking, the SNWTP is a technocratic mega-project that imposes high social, economic, and environmental costs. What explains this puzzle, and what are the implications for understanding environmental politics in other authoritarian developing countries? I evaluate two current theories — Ecological Modernisation and Authoritarian Environmentalism — against the SNWTP case, and argue that it illustrates the ability of governments to co-opt environmental politics to pursue other strategic objectives, in turn necessitating greater attention to the mix of persuasive and coercive strategies in environmental politics.
Read the entire article here (log in may be required): http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09644016.2014.943544
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
News - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Charting a Course for Working-Level Cooperation in the Arctic
News - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Exploring Arctic Sustainability: Enhancing Resilience, Addressing Land Degradation and Permafrost Thaw Through Indigenous Empowerment
Analysis & Opinions - Foreign Policy
Do Policy Schools Still Have a Point?
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Analysis & Opinions - Foreign Policy
The Morality of Ukraine's War Is Very Murky
Analysis & Opinions - The Sunday Times
China is Using Every Trick for World Domination
Paper - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Attacking Artificial Intelligence: AI’s Security Vulnerability and What Policymakers Can Do About It