In most cases it is a matter of degree. Not whether we should curb pollution or conserve resources, but how much and for whom. Scientists are usually accused of putting too much emphasis on environmental conservation while ignoring economic costs. Yes, it's good to reduce nutrient pollution, but if that means people will pay more for groceries, how do we balance that tradeoff? Of course, conservatives go too far in the other direction, arguing that markets provide the best solution even when they are imperfect and incomplete. Also, folks on the far left note that technocratic environmental policy often leaves out the concerns and knowledge of indigenous people and other minorities.
best, dgwebster On Wed, Nov 27, 2019 at 7:17 AM Kevin Olsen <[email protected]> wrote: > I am working on my spring semester lesson plans for classes on Law and > Policy. > > I am looking for a good example of a concept that will be presented. > > One of the objections that intelligent conservatives make to our current > system of environmental laws (at least in the United States) is that it > does not balance technical expertise and democratic accountability. > They argue that only trained technocrats with specialized knowledge are > qualified to write regulations but everyone in a democracy must have the > right to participate in the process. > > Of course when a new regulation is proposed, there is a comment period > and the agency proposing the regulation makes every effort to engage > stakeholders. The intelligent conservative often believes that these > measures are not sufficient, hence the objections. > > So, can anyone suggest a situation where technocratic expertise and > democratic accountability have been in a legitimate conflict? > > The conservatives will argue that there are plenty of examples of > regulatory over reach. > > Compact fluorescent light bulbs? They save 75% of the electricity > used for lighting > > Can't drive my car on the beach anymore? Nesting seabirds are an > important part of the ecosystem > > Can't build my new house within 300 feet of a creek? Ever hear of > runoff pollution? > > > Every example I try to find for my lesson plans seems to suggest that > There Is No Such Thing As Regulatory Over Reach.....or perhaps it would > be politically neutral to say that the vast majority regulations are > promulgated for very good reasons. And furthermore, the agency > proposing the regulation has had its power conferred by the legislative > branch. > > There must be a good example where an environmental regulation has come > into a legitimate conflict with the democratic process. > > Full disclosure, I am of course a tree-hugging, Union Dues paying > lifelong Democrat. (Maybe that is why I am struggling with this question) > > Happy Thanksgiving to the List Subscribers in the United States, > > Thank you, > > Kevin > > > -- > “Of all the inanimate objects, of all men's creations, books are the > nearest to us for they contain our very thoughts, our ambitions, our > indignations, our illusions, our fidelity to the truth, and our persistent > leanings to error. But most of all they resemble us in their precious hold > on life.” > > ― Joseph Conrad > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "gep-ed" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/gep-ed/b04a14b5-c5de-f0c7-e433-f7ef01cecf77%40montclair.edu > . > -- D.G. Webster Associate Professor Environmental Studies Program Dartmouth College 6182 Steele Hall Hanover, NH 03755 phone: 603-646-0213 http://sites.dartmouth.edu/websterlab -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "gep-ed" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/gep-ed/CAKPQqY7exx2z_D_F21o8JKi1wiPOnmobf9ngt7bGGLK%3DY2hFHw%40mail.gmail.com.
