Synopses & Reviews
For many nations, a key challenge is how to achieve sustainable development without a return to centralized planning. Using case studies from Greenland, Hawaii and Northern Norway, this book examines whether 'bottom-up' systems such as customary law can play a critical role in achieving viable systems for managing natural resources. While the use of customary law does not always produce sustainability, the study of customary methods of resource management can give valuable insights into methods of managing resources in a sustainable way.
Review
Review of the hardback: 'The book is an insightful introduction to the topic, which will be of interest to academics and students in areas such as law, environmental studies, sociology and anthropology, as well as to development planners at the local, national and international level ... it fills a gap in the current literature regarding the difficult link between customary law and sustainable development which is all too often taken for granted.' Environmental Conservation
Synopsis
Examines whether customary law can play a critical role in achieving viable systems for managing natural resources.
Table of Contents
Preface; 1. The linkage between sustainable development and customary law; 2. Three case studies from Hawaii, Norway and Greenland; 3. Social interaction: the foundation of customary law; 4. How custom becomes law in England; 5. How custom becomes law in Norway; 6. Adaptive resource management through customary law; 7. The place of customary law in democratic societies; 8. Customary law, sustainable development and the failing state; 9. Towards sustainability: the basis in international law; 10. The case studies revisited; 11. The choice of customary law; 12. Conclusion: customary law in a globalizing culture.