A New Ecological Order: Development and the Transformation of Nature in Eastern Europe

The emergence of industrial capitalism in the 19th century brought about significant environmental changes in North American and Western European states. However, Eastern Europe has largely been overlooked in this regard. A New Ecological Order examines the role of state planners, bureaucrats, and experts in Eastern Europe from 1870 to the early 21st century as they sought to exploit the natural environment and develop economies and infrastructures. The book highlights the import of scientific knowledge and technologies from Western Europe and how these influenced local projects and policies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 292 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2022
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press

The 19th century witnessed the emergence of industrial capitalism, which brought about significant ecological transformations in North American and Western European states. This era saw a profound shift in the environment, driven by scientific and technological advancements, with the ultimate goal of promoting human progress. However, the environmental changes experienced in Eastern Europe, often overlooked by environmental historians and anthropologists, are equally noteworthy. A New Ecological Order delves into the intricate interplay between state planners, bureaucrats, and experts, including engineers, agricultural engineers, geographers, biologists, foresters, and architects, who played pivotal roles in shaping the natural world of Eastern Europe from 1870 to the early 21st century. The book explores a wide range of territories, including those under the influence of empires such as the Habsburg, Ottoman, and tsarist Russia, as well as regions belonging to disintegrating empires and countries in the Balkan Peninsula, Central and Eastern Europe, and Eurasia.

Contributors to the book examine the rhetoric of "correcting nature," a driving force behind the desire to exploit the natural environment and harness its resources for the development of modern states. They highlight the eagerness of newly established nation-states, after centuries of imperial economic and political impositions, to import scientific knowledge and new technologies from Western Europe to aid in their economic growth. These imports and ideas about nature not only influenced local projects and policies but also had far-reaching consequences, shaping the ecological landscape of Eastern Europe in profound ways.

Through a combination of historical analysis, ethnographic research, and interdisciplinary approaches, A New Ecological Order sheds light on the complex and multifaceted processes that shaped the natural environment in Eastern Europe. It highlights the ways in which state planners, bureaucrats, and experts worked to transform the landscape, promote agricultural productivity, develop infrastructure, and control natural resources. The book also explores the environmental consequences of these policies, including deforestation, pollution, and the degradation of ecosystems.

By examining the role of state planners, bureaucrats, and experts in Eastern Europe, A New Ecological Order contributes to our understanding of the broader global history of environmental change. It highlights the ways in which different regions and nations have responded to the challenges and opportunities presented by the natural world, and the ways in which these responses have shaped the trajectory of human history. The book also raises important questions about the ethical and sustainable use of natural resources, the balance between economic development and environmental protection, and the role of science and technology in shaping the natural world.

In conclusion, A New Ecological Order offers a valuable contribution to the field of environmental history and anthropology. By exploring the role of state planners, bureaucrats, and experts in shaping the natural world of Eastern Europe, the book provides a fresh perspective on the history of environmental change. It sheds light on the complex and multifaceted processes that have shaped the ecological landscape of this region, and highlights the ways in which different regions and nations have responded to the challenges and opportunities presented by the natural world. The book also raises important questions about the ethical and sustainable use of natural resources, the balance between economic development and environmental protection, and the role of science and technology in shaping the natural world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780822947172