Nature's Evil: A Cultural History of Natural Resources

This book explores the history of humankind through the lens of natural resources, highlighting their impact on trade, wealth, inequality, and political institutions. It emphasizes the fragile pact between people and nature and the need to understand how the world works in order to address climate catastrophe.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 300 pages
\n Publication date: 03 September 2021
\n Publisher: Polity Press
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This captivating and comprehensive book delves into the intricate tapestry of human history, examining the profound relationship between natural resources and our collective journey. It explores the diverse ways in which we acquire, utilize, appreciate, trade, and exploit these invaluable assets, shedding light on the intricate dynamics that have shaped our world. Within this narrative, peat and hemp, grain and iron, fur and oil emerge as the central characters, each with its unique tale to tell.

The uneven distribution of available resources serves as the driving force behind trade, fostering the accumulation of wealth, the escalation of inequality, and the proliferation of societal ills. The diverse nature of raw materials carries distinct political implications, giving rise to distinct social institutions. When a country transitions its reliance from one commodity to another, it often sparks conflicts and revolutions, yet these crises hold the potential for transformative changes in the interplay between matter, labor, and the state.

Our world is the culmination of a delicate balance between humanity and nature. As we face the imminent threat of climate catastrophe, nature has aligned itself with our struggle to discern between good and evil. In the face of our collective failure to alter the course of our world, it is imperative that we gain a deeper understanding of its workings.

This book serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to comprehend the intricate interplay between natural resources, history, and the forces that have shaped our world. It offers a profound exploration of the human experience, providing insights into the complex dynamics that have shaped our societies and the challenges we must confront in the future.

\n Weight: 678g\n
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 35 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781509547586\n \n