This study links political debate with the science of ecology. It is based on the belief that apparently neutral laws of science are themselves constructed from political processes. Consequently, the debate about environmental politics needs to include the formulation of science in that process, rather than applying existing scientific laws to current social dilemmas. The book focuses on three main themes: it summarizes recent thinking about the relationship between natural and social science, and the difficulties of making statements about the natural world that do not reflect social...

This study links political debate with the science of ecology. It is based on the belief that apparently neutral laws of science are themselves constructed from political processes. Consequently, the debate about environmental politics needs to include the formulation of science in that process, rather than applying existing scientific laws to current social dilemmas. The book focuses on three main themes: it summarizes recent thinking about the relationship between natural and social science, and the difficulties of making statements about the natural world that do not reflect social...