Argument Overview
In the final leg of this ENVS 160 course, we read Paul Steinberg’s Who Rules the Earth: How Social Rules Shape Our Planet and Our Lives. Though the book is highly controversial, the argument laid out in the book is so strong, that many, including myself, who do not completely agree with his writing, question their personal stance on the issue. This book discusses the role of social rules, the role of the individual and the institution, how important they are, and the steps to implement successful and lasting change to our society. The overall argument of the book is that by changing social rules, a dramatic effect on our society can occur.
How Change Can Be Made
Recently, dealing with environmentalism and climate change has taken place on an individual level, with society pushing an apocalyptic view of climate change, pressuring individuals to recycle and do other small-scale tasks. He says that “these isolated individual actions are fine, but are simply inadequate given the size of the challenge” (Steinberg 2015, 219). He believes in institutional change and outlines this through his ‘8 Principles for Institutional Change.’ His idea of “think[ing] vertically” (Steinberg 2015, 163), which can be defined as acting at multiple levels of the government, is the best way to combat the causes of our environmental problems (Steinberg 2015). He argues this because “the old adage to think globally and act locally is just plain wrong. It is far too simplistic in its portrayal of the sources of environmental problems and the solutions at our disposal” (Steinberg 2016, 163.) believes in institutional change and outlines this through his eight principles for institutional change. In the third principle, Steinberg argues that “To go the distance, new rules must have support from multiple political parties and diverse social groups who can defend the new arrangement and prevent reversals during times of political and economic damage” (Steinberg 2015, 270). This brings up another interesting point in his argument: that individual interests are pivotal for creating a successful change to society. He goes on to elaborate on this idea by saying “it is a matter of balance, contemplating these everyday acts of individual conscience with larger actions that promote social change” (Steinberg 2015, 278).
Embedded Rules
Another part of his argument is how deep rules run. While rules usually dwell in the realm of law, Steinberg argues that rules also have social connotations. He says that these social rules are all around us, and these rules affect us dramatically. The author outlines this idea by saying “to those who worry what government rules are at best a nuisance, I suggest spending time in a place that doesn’t have them” (Steinberger 2015, 133).
Reflection
Reflecting on the text inside Who Rules the Earth: How Social Rules Shape Our Planet and Our Lives has lead me to have a further grasp on the downfalls of individual action, and has solidified my belief in the importance of institutional action. As an International Affairs major, my belief in institutional action as a solution has always been strong, but the degree to its importance was fully provided to me in Paul Steinberg’s book. This book also showed me not only the downfalls of individual action but how institutional action is strengthened by individual action.
Citations
Steinberg, Paul F. 2015. Who Rules the Earth?: How Social Rules Shape Our Planet and Our Lives. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.