ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on nonhuman resources, with emphasis on other life forms and physical elements useful to humans. It examines the conservation and ecology movements to the basic elements of a contemporary neoinstitutionalist theory of environmental control. A neoinstitutionalist theory of environmental control, like any other theory, is based on preconceptions, values, and a fundamental approach to solving problems. Any approach to understanding the natural environment involves a view of natural systems, and any social science perspective on the natural environment includes a view of social systems as well. The institutionalist belief is between the two extremes, although some institutionalists appear to be quite close to the quiescent earth mentality. Institutionalists view the pursuit of knowledge and its application as the primary source of human progress, with habits of thought and behavior in combination with status-quo-preserving forces of power as the primary restraints on progress.
