The Politics of Sustainability

How can the state, which has historically been
instrumental in the degradation of the environment,
become more active in its protection? Among the key
actors in any such transformation would be dedicated
ministries of environment. Yet, since these
institutions were first created in the 1970s, we have
barely begun to understand how they are affected by
politics. This analysis of how the Colombian Ministry
of Environment emerged and subsequently evolved shows
the crucial impact of political debates and changes
on environmental management. In particular, the study
shows that Colombian governments in the early
twenty-first century gravely underestimated the
importance of institutional continuity. Looking to
the future, it suggests ways in which environmental
institutions might be designed to weather different
political climates, thereby allowing the greening of
the state to become more than just a blueprint.

Autorentext

Henry Mance has a Masters in Development Studies from theUniversity of Oxford. He currently works as a writer andresearcher, based in Colombia.

Klappentext

How can the state, which has historically beeninstrumental in the degradation of the environment,become more active in its protection? Among the keyactors in any such transformation would be dedicatedministries of environment. Yet, since theseinstitutions were first created in the 1970s, we havebarely begun to understand how they are affected bypolitics. This analysis of how the Colombian Ministryof Environment emerged and subsequently evolved showsthe crucial impact of political debates and changeson environmental management. In particular, the studyshows that Colombian governments in the earlytwenty-first century gravely underestimated theimportance of institutional continuity. Looking tothe future, it suggests ways in which environmentalinstitutions might be designed to weather differentpolitical climates, thereby allowing the greening ofthe state to become more than just a blueprint.