Environmental politics in Eastern Europe

Bibliographic Data

ID7763422
AuthorsMichael Waller (0000-0002-1050-4574, University of Manchester), Frances Millard (University of Portsmouth)
Year1992
Volume1
Issue2
Pages159-185
Publication date1992-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironmental Politics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0964-4016 • E-ISSN: 1743-8934
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09644019208414019
OpenAlexW2055666221
LanguageEN
Citations received28
References cited11

The environmental problems of Eastern Europe are particularly severe, even allowing for difficulties of perspective. The communist past must bear a good share of blame for this, although geographical factors also play a part. The environmental issue was prominent before 1989 in dissenting movements which benefited from its mobilising potential. Early elections after 1989 brought from poor to calamitous results to green parties. There were a number of reasons for this. Ecologically‐minded former dissenters were taking up government positions, the focus of politics shifted from defeating communism to coping with acute material problems, whilst other political parties were including a concern for the environment in their programmes. The new governments have promoted environmental legislation, targeted problem areas, and sought foreign support for environmental programmes. Nuclear power retains its position in the energy sector except in Poland. The region also suffers from problems connected with its recent history, such as environmental damage caused by Soviet troops. The governments of the region play their full part in international initiatives and conferences

Blame · Communism · Development economics · Dissenting opinion · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental politics · Legislation · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · European and International Law Studies · Law · Russia and Soviet political economy