Essay on The Influence Of Green Groups On The Policy Of The United States

The Influence Of Green Groups On The Policy Of The United States Term Papers

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The Influence of Green Groups on the Policy of the United States

Abstract: This research examines the relationship between environmental groups

and the policies of the United States. The United States political system has

been historically anthropocen-tric, or human centered. Environmental groups

have been attempting to change this to a biocentric or ecocentric viewpoint,

which includes the rights of animals and the environment. These views are

nature centered instead of human centered. This study will answer the question

of whether these groups have been effective at altering United States policies.

This will be done through the study of views offered by both sides. Also, a

survey will be used to determine whether congressmen views are consistent with

environmentalist views. It will also present whether policy change has taken

place, and if these changes have remained intact through the study of past

congressional decisions.

Research Problem

1. Research Question

Have environmental groups' strategies been successful at altering the policies

of the United States?

2. Rational for the Research

This research will help environmental groups to identify the effectiveness of

their strategies. This is necessary for these groups to effectively alter the

policies of the United States, which is one of the largest polluters in the

world. If their strategies are ineffective then it will be necessary for them to

reassess their methods. Without the use productive methods these groups will

not be able to protect the environment. Animals, plants and the entire

ecosystem must have the same protection as humans have. An ecocentric viewpoint

establishes the right of the environment to have legal standing. This gives

people the ability to defend the right of an animal to exist with the same

rights as humans. Without this protection, people will be just as negatively

affected as the environment. The earth must be thought of as a living organism,

if one part is hurt then the whole planet will feel the effects. Unfortunately,

business and governments take the stance that the earth is more like a machine.

That is, at times if a part is hurt it can be repaired, without it effecting the

whole system.

Literature Review

The literature on environmental groups and their influence and activities is

vast. Several themes concerning the groups' influence in changing United

States policy exist. The American Psychological Association has done studies on

ecocentric and anthropocentric attitudes (Thomas, 1994). Ecocentric values have

arisen recently as environmental problems have come to the public's attention.

Anthropocentric values have existed much longer. They have become

institutionalized into our political and economic system.

The movement toward environmental awareness arose in the political activism in

the 60's. Although these values have recently been declining according to

Finger (1993). These biocentric and anthropocentric views are also examined by

Wildes (1995). Wildes also explains the beginning of the movement in the 60's,

and the number of similar theories developed during the same era. In his study

he applies neo-marxism to the relationship towards Man and Nature. By doing

this he shows how the government and industry uses the environment for its own

use, often neglecting the resulting effects.

Dodson (1995) examines if either of these opposing viewpoints offer plausible

answers to current problems. Dodson also explains how the groups interact.

Through this interaction they form political policy. Hampicke (1994) address the

vulnerability of the species and ecosystems to permanent destruction. Also

shown is how conserva-tion costs are not excessive as some in our government

believe. Lichterman (1995) shows that green groups not only have problems

relating towards our government, but also multicultural obstacles. These

groups must bring together several interests in order to form a unified strategy

to present to the United States government.

Environmental lobbyists have so far been unsuccessful in their efforts to amend

existing environmental laws. Chemical manufactur-ing and other industry's

lobbies have been able to block their efforts. They have used promising of

campaign funding to influence Congress to support industries (Dowie, 1995).

Senator Ted Stevens opposed the building of a pipeline across Alaska's coastal

plain in 1977. He pointed out the tragic environmental costs of oil

development in his home state. Now he is a part of a group of senators who are

leading efforts to roll back environmental laws (Foley, 1995).

Congress has been modifying the country's environmental policy to suit business

interests during its first eight months in power. Senator Bob Dole sponsored a

risk assessment bill. This bill required that new federal human health and

safety standards be weighed against their economic costs. This bill was

defeated by the Natural Resources Defense Council lobby. Congress has also

attached over fifty riders to various appropriations bills to all anti-

environment projects while minimizing public knowledge of the bills (Adams,

1995, 3). One of these riders was to a federal budget cutting bill. This

rider allowed private companies to salvage damaged trees in national lands.

Other similar riders include making it legal to consider the sale of public

assets toward the reduction of the budget deficit. Another bill passed banned

the addition of more species to the Endangered Species list and allows increased

logging at Tongass National Forest (Adams, 1995, 2).

Environmental policy is positively affected by pressure from customers,

shareholders, government regulations, neighborhood groups and community groups.

Although environmental policy is negatively affected by lobby pressure from

other groups. This is from empirical data from firms that have an official

policy for dealing with environmental questions (Henriques, 1996).

Tension between social equity and environmental politics has existed in the

United States over the past thirty years. This tension has existed on a social

classes basis, a gender basis, a racial basis, and an economic basis. Several

of these tensions however are more perceived than real. There is a possible

common grounds for these two goals (Paehlke, 1993).

Research Concepts and Hypotheses

1. Research Concepts and Variables

Change In United States policy is dependent upon the action of interest groups.

These groups are only able to alter policy if there actions are effective at

promoting their cause. This can be done through the support of the people, or

the voters. It can also be done by directly lobbying Congress for the passage

of a law, or lobbying to prevent a passage of law. It is also possible to

directly gain public and political attention through...

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