ABSTRACT
DOMINANT SOCIAL PARADIGM Many argue that environmental problems and the policies that have been adopted to deal with them are a direct result of our dominant social paradigm (DSP). The DSP constitutes those clusters of beliefs, values, and ideals that influence our thinking about society, government, and individual responsibility. The DSP can be defined in various ways but includes acceptance of laissez-faire capitalism, individualism, growth, and progress, and a faith in science and technology. Our DSP has influenced the history of environmental policy, public attitudes toward the environment, and environmental regulations. The most important components of the DSP for environmental policy are free market economics, faith in science and technology, the growth orientation common in Western democracies, and a sense of separation from the natural environment.
