ABSTRACT
Both P. Walker and P. Blaikie suggest many reasons for limited engagement of policy in political ecology. This chapter highlights areas of potential overlap between the work of US Agency for International Development (USAID) and political ecologists, and the range of similarities and differences in both philosophy and approach. USAID and political ecologists share a focus on gender equity in development. The brief outline of basic principles is meant only to give the reader an introduction to the program cycle and project design at USAID. Throughout automated directives system, there are general statements that suggest philosophies in congruence with political ecology. Political ecology, if anything, is an integrated approach to human-environment relationships and as such could be employed to analyze exactly the interrelationships USAID seeks to better understand. USAID covers a variety of thematic areas related to development including but not limited to health, food security, the environment, science and technology, energy, climate change, gender, democracy, conflict, and humanitarian assistance.
