Political elites (federal candidates) from all parties in Australia exhibit more favourable attitudes toward the environment than voters. Nevertheless, the magnitude of these elite-public differences are declining over time as 'the environment' has become a mainstream political issue. The level of environmental activism among the political elite is on the rise, both within and across party boundaries, indicating an increasing acceptability of 'the environment' among politicians. On the other hand, there is some evidence of a decline in environmental group membership and a shift in the issue priorities of environmental groups, with members now increasingly supportive of 'green green' environmental issues. There is also tentative evidence to suggest that as a mobilising agent for activism 'the environment' is in decline, as environmental issues become 'routinised' and ensconced in mainstream political culture.1.
History
Publication title
Journal of Sociology
Volume
35
Issue
3
Pagination
331-350
ISSN
0004-8690
Department/School
School of Social Sciences
Publisher
Addison, Wesley Longman
Publication status
Published
Place of publication
Melbourne
Socio-economic Objectives
230299 Government and politics not elsewhere classified