PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND POLLUTION CONTROL: THE ENVIRONMENTALIZATION OF SOCIAL CONFLICTS

Abstract

The article examined the theme of social conflict and forms of organization around the ecology. It investigated how this theme was transformed into a public issue and  verified the political mechanisms that involved new forms of management and production of the ecology. Beyond state ecological policies, it further pointed to the assimilation of behavior, practices and norms of conduct in regards to this new dominion of the "ecology". It tackled  disputes between a variety of experts (engineers, chemists, lawyers, doctors, biologists, social scientists, etc.) and between  experts and common citizens. It showed  how within the poor and the vulnerable populations.