The Politics of Air Pollution: Urban Growth, Ecological Modernization, and Symbolic Inclusion (SUNY series in Global Environmental Policy)

Argues that clean air policy is driven by locally oriented economic elites.

Who has been at the political forefront of clean air policy development in the United States? In The Politics of Air Pollution, George A. Gonzalez argues that the answer is neither the federal government, nor environmental groups, but rather locally oriented economic elites in conjunction with state and local governments. These local growth coalitions, composed of mostly large landholders, land developers, and the owners of regional media and utility firms, support clean air policies insofar as they contribute to the creation of a positive investment climate and, in turn, bring about greater profits through increased land values and an expanded local consumer base.

“Gonzalez … convincingly demonstrates that economic elites played a major and generally the determining role in setting the agenda for these early efforts to control air pollution.” — Political Studies Review

“Due to its accessibility and contributions to an understanding of environmental policy in a federalist context, this book is recommended for all readers.” — Perspectives on Politics

“…Gonzalez’s beautifully written volume introduces readers to an urban history that they would not find elsewhere.” — Environmental Conservation

“…a must-read for any political scientist who studies environmental politics.” — Environmental Politics

“…The Politics of Air Pollution… challenges several prevailing notions regarding the promulgation of air pollution and environmental policy … Unlike the command and control modes of the 1970s, Gonzalez successfully illustrates how regional growth coalitions seek technology-based solutions.” — Perspectives on Politics

"The argument that economic elites have sponsored technological approaches to control air pollution in order to ensure that real estate remains attractive to investors departs from traditional accounts that explain air pollution control in terms of pluralistic competition between concerned groups. Gonzalez has made an important contribution with his provocative thesis." — Christopher J. Bailey, author of Congress and Air Pollution: Environmental Policies in the USA