ABSTRACT
This chapter explains why the number of people joining the Scottish Green Party in 1989 and 1990 was exceptionally large. An important question underlying the analysis is whether the people joining the party at the end of the 1980s were any different from those with a longer history of party membership. The task is to determine whether membership of the Scottish Greens at the end of the 1980s was little more than a short-term environmental fad, a response to the publicity surrounding green issues, and indeed the party, during and following the June 1989 European Elections. Socio-demographically, the 1989/1990 joiners were not very distinctive. The chapter discusses the possibility of a relationship between joining the Scottish Greens in 1989 and 1990, and a number of the factors by Finger and others. Finger argues that they were seeking environmental information because they 'wanted to change society'.
