The Cultural Dimensions of Environmental Decision-Making

By explaining the role of the state and its relationship to culture, one can better
understand contemporary cultural conflict and the need to create mechanisms for
intercultural cooperation in environmental decision-making. This article will: (1)
clarify what is meant by culture and point to some common fallacies associated
with the term; (2) enumerate and explain the cultural dimensions of
environmental decision-making; (3) explain the most common basis of cultural
conflict over the environment; and (4) conclude by explaining how comanagement
schemes, decentralised decision-making, and a recognition of
group rights can both reduce conflict and help to achieve a sustainable
relationship between societies and the environment.