Restoring Cursed Earth: Appraising Environmental Policy Reforms in Eastern Europe and Russia

Among the most costly and complicated chapters in the former Eastern bloc countries' transitions to democracy is the clean up and restoration of the environment. Even as Communist-era environmental problems fade in significance-such as pollution from heavy industry-new threats have emerged. Urban sprawl, increasing pollution from mobile sources, and other problems familiar to Western European citizens now plague the East. These problems are compounded by the lack of transparency and accountability in former Eastern bloc environmental regulatory institutions and the general weakness of environmental authorities and nongovernmental organizations vis-^-vis powerful pro-development interests. Restoring Cursed Earth considers how rule-making, sanctions, incentives, and programs shape environmental protection efforts, and whether and to what extent these emerging policy structures are promoting environmental well-being for citizens in Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Estonia. In addition, informal institutions, such as illegal and corrupt acts, language, and ties of affection between family and friends are explored as key determinants of environmental reforms.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Lessons from Leaders and Laggards: Appraising Environmental Reforms in Central and Eastern Europe and Russia Chapter 2 Environmental Reforms in the Czech Republic: Uneven Progress after 1989 Chapter 3 Hungary: Developing Institutions to Support Environmental Protection Chapter 4 Forestry Resources in Transition: The Romanian Experience Chapter 5 Estonian Environmental Reforms: A Small Nation's Outsized Accomplishments Chapter 6 The Disappearance of Popular Environmental Activism in Post-Soviet Russia Chapter 7 Conclusion: Lessons Learned for the Road Forward

About the Author :
Matthew R. Auer is associate professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University.

Review :
After a synoptical introduction by the author, this book effectively becomes a collage of detailed studies of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, and post-Soviet Russia. . . .[S]o far as the rest of Eastern Europe is concerned. . . [this book] identifies far more permanent and longstanding achievements. Exploring thorny questions about how to reverse practices and results from the environmental devastation left by communist rule in Eastern Europe and Russia, Matt Auer and his colleagues offer hope, insight and despair. Their analysis of efforts by various reforming institutions-government bodies, NGOs and advocacy networks-offers sophisticated tales of the interplay of politics, economics and environment. The myriad difficulties of post-Soviet countries seeking environmental improvements turn out to vary greatly. The obvious is often false, while the inertial and subtle hold sway. This compelling book reviews the successes and failures of environmental reforms in Eastern Europe and Russia. It argues that progress is due more to evolving institutions than to structural change and clearly explains how international cooperation and environmental agreements shape institutions that favor environmental protection and natural resource management. Fifteen years into Europe's post-communist transition, Restoring Cursed Earth is a timely and important contribution to our collective understanding of environmental policy developments in Russia and Central and Eastern Europe. The volume explores the connections and contradictions in the dual projects of constructing a more united Europe and building more sustainable economies and societies. Auer and his colleagues' use of institutional analysis helps to explain the region's environmental policy accomplishments to date, and the challenges that remain. In particular, the authors' interest in the dynamic interaction between domestic and international institutions reveals both revolutionary change in Russian and Eastern European environmental policy enabled by international assistance programs since 1989, and the persistence and recreation of pre-1989 social institutions.