Biodiversity and democracy : rethinking society and nature / Paul M. Wood.

Includes index.

Includes bibliographical references: pages [211]-225.

1. Practical Reasoning about Nature -- 2. Biological Diversity: An Environmental Condition -- 3. Utility Maximization -- 4. Economic Efficiency -- 5. Consensus among Stakeholders -- 6. The Case for the Priority of Biodiversity Conservation -- 7. The Costs of Biodiversity Conservation -- 8. Constitutional and Statutory Implications.

"The world's species, genes, and ecosystems are going extinct at an alarming and unprecedented rate, largely as a result of human activities.".

"In Biodiversity and Democracy, Paul M. Wood looks at this dilemma from another perspective. He argues that the problem can be traced back to how we think about both biodiversity and democratic societies. He examines the concept of biodiversity, recasting it as an essential environmental condition that is being irreversibly depleted, not a biological resource that can simply be replaced.

He then demonstrates how democratic policies cater to short-term public preferences, with little or no concern for the long term." "This book will be of interest to academics and professionals in the related fields of conservation biology, environmental law, public policy, environmental ethics, and political philosophy. Public interest groups, environmental advocacy groups, and government agencies will also find Wood's approach thought-provoking."--BOOK JACKET.