Who Rules the Earth in a nutshell
In Who Rules the Earth?: How Social Rules Shape Our Planet and Our Lives, Paul F. Steinberg emphasizes the idea of social rules and how social rules are everywhere. Social rules and regulations are in fact a part of every aspect of our lives even if we may not notice them at first (Steinberg 2015). In order to point out the social rules and make them visible to us, Steinberg uses the analogy of going for a walk on the beach and points out a lot of the restrictions that we may not have noticed before that are involved in this what seems to be an unrestricted activity. After making it clear to us that social rules are in fact everywhere, Steinberg argues that in order to create a real change towards the environment we must turn to these institutions for help. He says that in order for change to occur, we must use these social rules as the foundation of our solutions. Within his book, Steinberg includes a lot of tips about the role that the government plays in affecting social rules and the overall effort in improving our environment. One of him main ideas that he relates to government influence is that “we need to think vertically” (Steinberg 2015, 163). He explains that “if we are serious about promoting sustainability–if we wish to move beyond the current infatuation with green consumerism, and tackle the underlying causes of environmental problems–we cannot confine our energies to one level of governance” (Steinberg 2015, 163). Steinberg is arguing that the role that the government plays is a huge resource in creating change and that we must also use different levels of governance to receive the greatest possible outcome/solution. All in all, Steinberg’s main argument and idea of his book is that if we change social rules, it will create a bigger and better change in our environment.
Who Rules the Earth applied to my life
At first, Who Rules The Earth? made me feel pretty lost because it didn’t seem possible for an individual to make an impact on the institutional level. However, Steinberg’s point is clear that we must act as citizens to promote environmentalist agenda (Steinberg 2015). The ideas presented in Who Rules the Earth? (2015) are views that I find myself agreeing with and thoroughly understanding. Although environmental issues such as climate change are so complicated and extensive, it makes logical sense that changing our social rules is and can be a big solution to this problem. This book has inspired me to work towards making my own social change, starting with educating those around me to have the same mindset like people such as Paul F. Steinberg. To most effectively work towards change, Steinberg gives us a few suggestions in the last chapter of the book. He first urges us to share and spread as much knowledge and information as we can. Also, he encourages that we use previous attempts towards environmental solutions and consultations with experts of institutions as a guide to create an effective system (Steinberg 2015, ch 11). I find these ideas to be extremely helpful to me, especially with my ongoing efforts towards the environment.
The final lesson I took away from this book is that my individualist ideas should not be forgotten. Although Steinberg has made it clear that institutions are the key ingredients for change, he tells us not to give up on our individual actions and ideas. He says that “it is a matter of balance, complementing these everyday acts of individual conscience with larger actions that promote social change” (Steinberg 2015, 278). After reading this book, I understand that I should never abandon my individual actions/ideas but at the same time understand that larger institutions are needed to make a change.
References
Steinberg, Paul F. 2015. Who Rules the Earth?: How Social Rules Shape Our Planet and Our Lives. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.