SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT - ASSESSING CULTURAL CAPACITY FOR ECOLOGICAL MODERNIZATION

Ecological modernization is emerging as a new paradigm for the environ mental improvement of advanced nations. Rather than emphasize the use of remedial technologies as has been customary since the 1970s, this a pproach reframes the relationship between economics and the environmen t to overcome the zero-sum antagonism of the earlier era. This transfo rmation faces numerous obstacles, and ultimate success will depend on a wide range of predisposing national characteristics, including insti tutional design and economic organization. The current analysis focuse s specifically on an often overlooked third factor, cultural endowment , examining the extent to which it will likely condition the capabilit y of individual nations to meet these challenges. Particularly importa nt cultured attributes for ecological modernization are a strong publi c commitment to science and a robust environmental consciousness. Usin g data from several cross-national sources. including the Euro-Baromet er, the World Values Survey, and the International Social Survey Progr amme, this analysis assesses the cultural capacities of a sample of fi fteen advanced nations. The Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries , because of widespread lay respect for science and extensive public e ndorsement of environmental protection, appear to have enhanced cultur al potential to pursue ecological modernization.