Balancing Individualism and Collectivism ― Supporting Social and Environmental Justice

This book addresses the social and environmental justice challenge to live sustainably and well. It considers the consequences of our social, economic and environmental policy and governance decisions for this generation and the next. The book tests out ways to improve representation, accountability and re-generation. It addresses the need to take into account the ethical implications of policy and governance decisions in the short, medium and long term based on testing out the implications for self, other and the environment. This book recognizes the negative impact that humans have had on the Earth’s ecosystem and recommends a less anthropocentric way of looking at policies and governance. The chapters discuss the geologic impact that people have had on the globe, both positive and negative, and brings awareness to the anthropocentric interventions that have influenced life on Earth during the Holocene era. Based on these observations, the authors discuss original ideas and critical reviews on ways to govern those who interpret the world in terms of human values and experience, and to conduct an egalitarian lifestyle. These ideas address the growing rise in the size of the ecological footprints of some at the expense of the majority, the growth in unsustainable food choices and of displaced people, and the need for a new sense of relationship with nature and other animals, among other issues.

The chapters included in Balancing Individualism and Collectivism: Social and Environmental Justice encourage readers to challenge the sustainability agenda of the anthropocentric life. Proposed solutions to these unsustainable actions include structuralized interventions and volunteerism through encouragement and education, with a focus on protecting current and future generations of life through new governmental etiquette and human cognizance.

McIntyre-Mills, J.

Dr Janet McIntyre-Mills is an Associate Professor in the School of Social and Policy Studies at Flinders University, Adjunct Professor at the University of Indonesia and Islamic National University in Indonesia, and Honorary Professor at the University of South Africa. Her research focuses on systemic representation, accountability and re-generation applied to social and environmental justice concerns such as health, housing and social inclusion and the mitigation and adaptation to climate change. She addresses complex needs by exploring the meanings and ‘what if’ questions with diverse stakeholders.

Romm, N.

Norma (DLitt et Phil, Sociology) is a research professor in the Department of Adult Basic Education and Youth Development, University of South Africa. She is the author of The Methodologies of Positivism and Marxism (Macmillan, 1991), Accountability in Social Research (Springer, 2001), New Racism (Springer, 2010), People’s Education in Theoretical Perspective (with V. McKay, Longman, 1992), Diversity Management (with R. Flood, Wiley, 1996), and Assessment of the Impact of HIV and AIDS in the Informal Economy of Zambia (with V. McKay, ILO, 2008). She has co-edited two books—Social Theory (with M. Sarakinsky, Heinemann, 1994) and Critical Systems Thinking (with R. Flood, Plenum, 1996). She has published more than 95 research articles on the contribution of research to social development, the way in which research can be practised accountably, Indigenous ways of knowing and living, and the facilitation of adult learning. She has worked on a range of projects aimed at increasing equity for organisations such as the ILO, ADEA, IOM, and UNESCO.

Corcoran, Nantes, Y.

Dr Yvonne Corcoran Nantes is widely known in the field of Gender Studies, regularly being interviewed on gender and political issues by the media in Australia and overseas. She has worked with women in such diverse locations as Central Asia, Mongolia, Indonesia, East Timor and Brazil in many research and development projects to improve the rights and status of women in their respective countries. At the present time she is undertaking research on women ex combatants in contemporary Vietnam. While Dr Corcoran-Nantes currently teaches in the areas of international studies and women’s studies, her main research interests are: Gender and International Politics, Gender and International Development and Women and Armed Conflict. Dr Corcoran-Nantes is Head of Women’s Studies and an Associate Professor in the School of Social and Policy Studies at Flinders University.