Direct Action In British Environmentalism

Direct Action in British Environmentalist Direct action has become a key part of the strategy of the radical environmental movement since the early 1990s, and has been used to address issues such as road building and car culture, genetically modified foods, consumerism and global financial institutions. It has helped shape the political climate and has transformed the way people view political action, undermining the assumption that the power of politicians and big businesses cannot be contested. At the same time, it is highly controversial, often illegal, and has become increasingly militant in 1999 and 2000. Direct Action in British Environmentalism charts and analyses the nature and impact of this new wave of direct action. The contributors approach the phenomenon from a wide variety of perspectives and disciplines and present data concerning both the quantity and type of recent environmental protest, and the sociological and organisational features of those performing it. Subjects covered include: • • • • • the history of the movement and its influence on contemporary activism the identities and new tribalism of radical environmentalists the reaction of the mass media the impact of direct action on mainstream politicians and policy the strategies and tactical innovations which underlie direct action Direct Action in British Environmentalism is the fullest scholarly analysis available of this phenomenon to date. It is essential reading for students of Politics and Environmental Studies as well as all those interested in the development and impact of direct action in environmentalism. Benjamin Seel is a Research Associate in Religious Studies and the Institute for Environment, Philosophy and Public Policy at Lancaster University. Matthew Paterson is Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Keele University. Brian Doherty is Lecturer in Politics at Keele University. Direct Action in British Environmentalism Edited by Benjamin Seel, Matthew Paterson and Brian Doherty London and New York First published 2000 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2003. © 2000 selection and editorial matter, Benjamin Seel, Matthew Paterson and Brian Doherty; individual chapters, the contributors All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Direct action in British environmentalism/edited by Benjamin Seel, Matthe