Japan's post-World War II economic miracle is well-known and much
discussed, as is the collapse of the bubble economy and the almost
decade long economic stagnation of the 1990s. In this collection of
essays and articles spanning two decades of intellectual work, Koichi
Hasegawa - one of Japan's foremost environmental sociologists - reveals
another dimension to the Japanese experience of the late 20th century, a
developing civil society. Hasegawa's aim in this collection is manifold,
beginning with an outline of the aims, objectives and distinguishing
characteristics of environmental sociology. Combining a historical
analysis of the rise of this new discipline with an overview of the
theoretical frames that define it, Hasegawa argues that environmental
sociology challenges the sociological conventions of disengaged
observation as well as the anthropocentrism inherent to the sociological
perspective. At the same time, environmental sociology challenges a
powerful environmentalists' perspective, stressing that environmental
are not simply scientific or technical problems but are always and
especially social problems. Environmentalism therefore needs a
sociological perspective and sociology needs an environmental
perspective if they are to address the most pressing problems facing
human societies - environmental destruction. In the process, Hasegawa
indirectly provides a compelling answer to that seemingly interminable
question, What do sociologists actually do about social problems?
Beginning with the foundations of environmental sociology and concluding
with considerations of the experiences and future prospects of Japanese
civil society, Constructing Civil Society in Japan will appeal to
numerous audiences. It is an introductory textbook in environmental
sociology as well as a guide to environmental activism. It is a unique
introduction to civil society, combining European theories and Japanese
case studies to reveal the obstacles and opportunities facing the
Japanese citizenry. It critically addresses a range of sociological and
political theories regarding citizen's activism and a range of
activists' strategies in order to illuminate obstacles and openings on
the path ahead.
