Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2013, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (1): 161-194.

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Restriction and Construction: The Mechanism in the Presentation of Environmental Issues—A Contemplation of Citizens’ Opposition to Building L Garbage Incineration Plant in City A

GONG Wenjuan,School of Public Affairs,Xiamen University   

  1. GONG Wenjuan,School of Public Affairs,Xiamen University
  • Online:2013-01-20 Published:2013-01-20
  • Contact: GONG Wenjuan E-mail:gongwenjuan@xmu.edu.cn
  • About author:GONG Wenjuan,School of Public Affairs,Xiamen University
  • Supported by:

    his research was supported by the Youth Project of the National Social Science Fund（11CSH019）,the Youth Project of Humanities and Social Sciences of Ministry of Education(10YJC840025), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2010221013),and the Social Sciences Planning Project of Fujian Province (2012B078).

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Abstract:

 Recently, the main theoretical task of environmental sociology is gradually shifting from trying to identify factors detrimental to the environment to aiming at discovering effective mechanisms to improve the environment. The prerequisite of the latter goal is a clear description of what leads to the central environmental issues. Based on the review of the research on environmental problems from the perspectives of environmental realism and environmental constructivism, this paper analyzes the social mechanism in the presentation of environmental issues, which is explained in the case of citizens’ opposition to building L Garbage Incineration Plant in City A. Firstly, the mechanism for the emergence of environmental issues consists of three closelyconnected links: group interest conflict; cognitive difference and claim competition; and power, resources and strategic operation. Environmental agenda not only is a continuous extension of the objective environmental conditions but also involves people’s attention, cognition and judgment. On the one hand, the evolving of environmental issues is restricted by the established patterns of the structural factors such as interests, power and resources. On the other hand, it is also adjusting its direction, contents and expression to people’s constantly changing cognition and strategic action. In turn, successfully putting new environmental issues on the agenda may alter the original structural constraint. Secondly, there is a gradual transition in how environmental issues are presented, that is, from being guided by the government or the elite to environmental stakeholders working together. This transition indicates diverse interest groups and also, signifies a change in the social structure. Thirdly, the two characteristics of environmental issues, uncertainty and imitation, suggest a risky society, and evidences the public desire for environmental justice and political equality, as well as the tension between the citizens’ social growth and structural limitation.

Key words: environmental issues, restriction, construction, environmental justice, political equality