Making Political Ecology

by Roderick P. Neumann

Making Political Ecology presents a comprehensive view of an important new field in human geography and interdisciplinary studies of nature-society relations. Tracing the development of political ecology from its origins in geography and ecological anthropology in the 1970s, to its current status as an established field, the book investigates how late twentieth-century developments in social and ecological theories are brought together to create a powerful framework for comprehending environmental problems.



Making Political Ecology argues for an inclusionary conceptualization of the field, which absorbs empirical studies from urban, rural, First World and Third World contexts and the theoretical insights of feminism, poststructuralism, neo-Marxism and non-equilibrium ecology. Throughout the book, excerpts from the writings of key figures in political ecology provide an empirical grounding for abstract theoretical concepts.



Making Political Ecology will convince readers of political ecology's particular suitability for grappling with the most difficult questions concerning social justice, environmental change and human relationships with nature.

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2005

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book brought up an interested question, is there a place for academic writing in sustainability? I believe that if we are truly looking to create a sustainable and just world, we need to move away from creating educational tools such as books that are catered to an over-educated academic audience. I found Neumann's work to be too academic and too difficult to read compared to other works on Global Political Ecology that are accessible to a wider audience while not taking away from the complexity of the subject matter.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a useful, rigorous, and clearly written introduction to political ecology. I'd recommend it to graduate students or advanced undergrads, alongside the critical introduction by Paul Robbins.

Readers need to understand that this book is intended for an academic audience--in particular, for geographers, anthropologists, and other kindred spirits--and not for a general audience. It's not, for instance, a rallying cry for environmentalists, or a book designed to teach people about "sustainability." It is a book about a particular approach to doing research.

[Dionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and concise explanation about the history and evolution of political ecology. Neumann is a fantastic writer.