Resisting the costs of 'development': Local environmental activism in Ireland

Mark Garavan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Irish environmentalism has frequently been described as characterised by 'localism' and compared with similar patterns in Southern Europe. Used thus, localism carries a negative connotation, suggesting that such activism does not reflect pure or genuine environmental commitment. Irish environmental activism is indeed predominantly local but these 'defences of place' may be far more socially and politically significant than is generally recognised. The concept of place constructed and advanced by local activists combines concerns about perceived threats and risks arising from specific projects with claims, both implicit and sometimes explicit, regarding human well-being and the quality of the natural environment. Thus, 'place' can act as a holistic concept encompassing notions of the good life. In this way, local-level activism can be linked to emerging political conflicts over the direction and character of modern society and gobalisation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)844-863
Number of pages20
JournalEnvironmental Politics
Volume16
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2007

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Resisting the costs of 'development': Local environmental activism in Ireland'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this