Ecological States: Politics of Science and Nature in Urbanizing China

Ecological States critically examines ecological policies in the People's Republic of China to show how campaigns of scientifically based environmental protection transform nature and society. Jesse Rodenbiker argues that ecological redlining extends the reach of the authoritarian state, but migrants are not passive subjects of state policy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Ecological States is a groundbreaking book that delves into the critical examination of ecological policies in the People's Republic of China. It seeks to demonstrate how campaigns of scientifically based environmental protection have the power to transform both nature and society. While many recognize China's ecological civilization programs as a novel paradigm for global environmental governance, Jesse Rodenbiker argues that ecological redlining extends the reach of the authoritarian state.

Despite the significant impact of Chinese urban sustainability initiatives on millions of citizens, Rodenbiker reveals that these migrants are not passive subjects of state policy. Instead, they employ creative strategies to navigate resettlement processes in pursuit of their own interests. However, their resistance is constrained by various forms of state-backed infrastructural violence.

Through extensive fieldwork with scientists, urban planners, and ordinary citizens in southwestern China, Ecological States uncovers the intricate ways in which the scientific logics and practices fundamental to China's green urbanization have solidified state power and contributed to dispossession and social inequality. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of environmental studies, offering insights into the complex dynamics between environmental protection, state power, and social justice in China.

Supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, the goal of this series is to produce all titles in both Open Access and print editions, ensuring global accessibility and equity. Ecological States is a testament to the importance of interdisciplinary research and the need to address the complex challenges facing our planet today.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 151 x 230 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501769009