ABSTRACT
The circumstances faced by modern loggers and many other rural workers as well, are best understood in the context of economic and social/political trends that have been affecting western society for decades. Like any group depending directly on the land to make a living, the lives and social organization of loggers have been affected by how various institutions in society have structured and regulated the use of the land. Frederick H. Buttel goes on to suggest that the environmental movement is evolving to become “the political center of gravity” of new social movements with the environment as “the master new social movement" issue. The environmental movement’s major efforts relative to federal forest lands, have continued to focus on protecting land from what its members often view as exploitative management: too focused on commodity production and unduly influenced by industry. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
