This innovative book is one of the first to conduct a systematic comprehensive analysis of the ideals and practices of the evolving green state. It draws on elements of political theory, feminist theory, post-structuralism, governance and institutional theory to conceptualise the green state and advances thinking on how to understand its emergence in the context of climate and sustainability transitions. Focusing on the state as an actor in environmental, climate and sustainability politics, the book explores different principles guiding the emergence of the green state and examines the performance of states and institutional responses to the sustainable and climate transitions in the European and Nordic context in particular. The book's unique focus on the Nordic countries underlines the important to learn from Nordics, which are perceived to be in the forefront of climate and sustainability governance as well as historically strong welfare states.

With chapter contributions from leading international scholars in political science, sociology, economics, energy and environmental systems and climate policy studies, this book will be of great value to postgraduate students and researchers working on sustainability transitions, environmental politics and governance, and those with an area studies focus on the Nordic countries.

About the Author
Karin Backstrand is Professor in Environmental Social Science in the Department of Political Science at Stockholm University, Sweden. Annica Kronsell is Professor in the Department of Political Science at Lund University, Sweden.

Reviews

"Rethinking the Green State provides a fresh stocktaking of theoretical and empirical research on the green state while also introducing some new ideas, such as transition theory. This is a very engaging and welcome intervention that will revitalise the debate about the role of the state in the quest for a sustainable world." -Professor Robyn Eckersley, University of Melbourne, Australia

"Backstrand and Kronsell are to be commended for an excellent volume that explores the state's role in environmental governance. The book pays particular attention to the emerging global challenge of climate change, offers interesting typologies of state responses to environmental issues, and suggests a more developed theorization of the Green state." -James Meadowcroft, Professor and Canada Research Chair, School of Public Policy, Carleton University, Canada

Book Information
ISBN 9781138743717
Author Karin Backstrand
Format Paperback
Page Count 278
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 421g