Czech Environmental Values since 1989: Indicators of Ecological Modernization?

VAIL, Benjamin Jeremiah. Czech Environmental Values since 1989: Indicators of Ecological Modernization? In 16th International Symposium on Society and Resource Management. 2010.

Základní údaje

Originální název

Czech Environmental Values since 1989: Indicators of Ecological Modernization?

Autoři

VAIL, Benjamin Jeremiah

Vydání

16th International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, 2010

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Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Prezentace na konferencích

Obor

50000 5. Social Sciences

Stát vydavatele

Spojené státy

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Označené pro přenos do RIV

Ne

Organizační jednotka

Fakulta sociálních studií

Klíčová slova anglicky

Values Czech Republic Ecological Modernization Theory

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Anotace

V originále

Ecological Modernization (EM) theory suggests that environmental problems will be solved through gradual changes in economic, political, and social behavior within the capitalist framework. A key component of this predicted change is a shift in environmental awareness and values among decision-makers in different institutional contexts: individual consumer-voter-activists will demand green public policies and business practices; private sector managers and investors will “green” corporate action in response to consumer demands and as their own ecological consciousness grows; government officials will partner with environmental movements and businesses to achieve pollution reductions. In all these contexts, the predicted pro-environmental macro-sociological change is dependent on, or at least closely linked to, heightened individual-level ecological attitudes and values. The theory predicts that environmental improvement will accompany economic growth and continued technological development within the capitalist system. Thus, to the question framing this symposium, “Conservation or development?” EM theorists would likely answer, “Both!” This study uses data from the European Values Study from 1991, 1999, and 2008 to test whether there is evidence that ecological modernization is taking place in the Czech Republic. This has been a historical period of transition to a democratic, free-market society characterized by economic growth and technological advancement – a setting where ecological modernization could be expected to take place. Data include measures of individual concern for the environment and specific ecological issues, behavioral intentions such as willingness to pay for environmental improvements, political affiliation and involvement, and demographic variables. Analysis focuses on whether environment-related attitudes and behavior have shifted within the population over time, and whether this indicates ecological modernization is taking place within the Czech Republic. EM theory suggests several hypotheses regarding social change over time. It is expected that overall environmental concern has grown over time, across all social groups. An increase in confidence in market solutions, willingness to pay for environmental improvements, participation in environmental groups, and expression of political interest in the environment are also hypothesized. These hypotheses are tested, and the implications for Czech society and the development of EM theory are discussed.