Environmental Leadership in Developing Countries

This is an unusually interesting approach to a subject that receives too little attention and a notable account of a largely undisclosed history. It will be a very significant contribution to the field.

Michael Redclift, Department of Geography, King's College London

This is a hopeful and inspiring contribution to the understanding of global conservation. With careful and detailed analysis, Steinberg demonstrates that concern for the natural environment can take root in poor countries as easily as in the rich, and for the same economic and psychological reasons.

Edward O. Wilson, Harvard University

Steinberg provides a detailed history of the development of conservation policies in Costa Rica and Bolivia stressing the entrepreneurial roles of well-connected domestic scientific elites who are able to mediate between international forces from the scientific community and financial institutions and the top levels of their own governments. This book exemplifies careful methodological attention to the political mechanisms of policy change and provides important lessons towards the foundation of effective sustainable development practices in developing countries. Both policy analysts and conservation practitioners should read it.

Peter M. Haas, Department of Political Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Paul Steinberg's wonderfully detailed assessment of environmental leadership in Bolivia and Costa Rica is not simply an inspiring story of how enlightened conservationists can succeed against frequently daunting odds, but also a highly insightful analysis of how this can be done. By demonstrating the close links between domestic and international environmental leaders, the book demolishes the misleading myth that conservation is the 'foreigner's agenda.'

William Ascher, Dean of Faculty and Donald C. McKenna Professor of Government and Economics, Claremont McKenna College