Steinberg’s Who Rules the Earth is about about the importance of institutional and governmental action in creating social rules across the globe. He discusses governmental actions at all levels, and despite the fact that governmental control can in some cases be bad, it is essential, especially at federal or central levels.
One aspect that Steinberg highlights throughout the book is how local action is not enough, as “[t]he old adage to think globally and act locally is just plain wrong.” He discusses how this is far too simple, and how we need to be active at different levels of society if we want to make a true difference in solving environmental policy issues. “We need to think vertically.” (Steinberg 2015, 163) What I drew from his argument is that “acting locally” is still important and relevant, but changing and challenging social rules of the earth is not as simple as localized difference. We are able to do more, and from these local laws and policy changes, we can affect and inspire changes on a federal or even global scale, as seen in the example of the urban wastewater system used by the entire EU, which was influenced by a model from Denmark. (Steinberg 2015, 181).
Steinberg also emphasizes the importance of governmental control. Especially in the context of effective environmental policy, government is important. It has become increasingly more common for people to believe that government is not important in solving global problems. (Steinberg 2015, 131) But Steinberg claims that this is a misconception and explains why governments are in fact crucial for providing the kind of structure we need to improve environmental regulations.He reminds us that things like “transportation infrastructure, energy incentives, agricultural policy, land use planning, and investment in maternal-child health care” which are essential for creating sustainable economies, are under the control of the government. (Steinberg 2015, 133) Not all governments are as adept at instituting new more sustainable social rules,so this is where citizen participation comes into play. Citizen engagement in politics has shown a correlation with government’s instituting new laws and regulations. (Steinberg 2015, 203) For example, in the U.S, two thirds of states have more regulated air-quality than required by the federal government simply because of pressure from citizens and local citizen activism. (Steinberg 2015, 202)
In my personal life I do all I can to be an active, educated, and aware citizen. Sometimes I feel like I can’t do enough! But I have to remind myself that right now, simply by going to college, taking environmental studies, and learning more about the issues our world faces today, I am becoming a better citizen of the world. I am learning Spanish, which helps you to become a better world citizen by enabling you to communicate with people of other cultures. Next weekend I will go to the March for Science protest that’s mission is to “unite as a diverse, nonpartisan group to call for science that upholds the common good and for political leaders and policymakers to enact evidence based policies in the public interest.” Steinberg emphasizes the extreme importance of local activism in making policy changes at the government level. (Steinberg 2015, 203) I will continue to participate in society and local government. I have also signed up for daily action texts, which let you know an issue to call your legislators about daily to make change.
References
Steinberg, Paul F. Who Rules the Earth?: How Social Rules Shape Our Planet and Our Lives. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2015.