Environmental transformations in developing countries: Hybrid research and democratic policy

Abstract

This paper introduces a special edition of The Geographical Journal on the theme of 'environmental transformations in developing countries'. Geographical research into human-environment relations is well established. However, many recent studies of political ecology or constructivist approaches to environment either overlook biophysical aspects of environmental change, or uncritically accept 'orthodox' explanations of physical degradation without appreciating the social and political construction of such models. This paper, and those following, attempt to outline ways in which environmental research may remain sensitive to political and cultural debates, yet also give insights to practical e..