The Precautionary Principle in the 20th Century: Late Lessons from Early Warnings

Book Description

The Precautionary Principle is widely seen as fundamental to successful policies for sustainability. It has been cited in international courts and trade disputes between the US and the EU, and invoked in an growing range of political debates. Understanding what it can and cannot achieve is therefore crucial.

This volume looks back over the last century to examine the role the Principle played or could have played, in a range of major and avoidable public disasters. Among the studies it examines are: asbestos and asbestosis, BSE in cattle, CFCs and the depletion of stratospheric ozone, the pollution of the Great Lakes in America, the collapse of Atlantic fish stocks, PCBs, etc., for all of which there is good information on the science, the health and environmental impacts, and the costs and benefits.

From detailed investigation of how each disaster unfolded, what the impacts were and what measures were adopted, the authors draw lessons and establish criteria that could help to minimize the health and environmental risks of future technological, economic and policy innovations.

The result is an absorbing, informative and valuable book for all those from lawyers and policy-makers, to researchers and students needing to understand or apply the Principle.

Customer Reviews:

A thorough and useful book.......2003-01-02

The book takes a matter-of-fact approach to the subject, getting contributors to give detailed answers to four key questions on specific hazards that were subsequently addressed, starting with when was the first credible scientific warning of potential harm. It's not a light read, and an understanding of the scientific method, chemistry, and statistics will prove invaluable.

The book received a warm welcome in the scientific press, and the quality of the writing shows why. Where there is doubt in research, the book discusses it honestly. It also shows why problems frequently aren't addressed until after financial or health damage has been done, for example the compound (government) system failures that caused the BSE crisis in the UK. Of note is what has been omitted: the low-hanging fruit of (say) second-hand smoking, thalidomide, DDT, and lead in petrol would have made a separate book.

Another of the questions asked of the contributors concerns costs versus benefits -- for example, there is a discussion of whether the health (and, ultimately, financial) problems of asbestos were offset by the safety benefits, employment opportunities and so on. Combined with an unbiased and non-accusatory tone throughout the book, it makes an invaluable contribution to a field overrepresented by polemics.

The empowerment of bureaucracy.......2002-05-30

The precautionary principle (PP in short) has become a scientific and political instrument attracting a host of organisations and individuals giving their viewpoints adding to the international discussion. Indeed, how to deal with environmental and human health risks is not a simple matter. Science and technology carry both real benefits and real risks. And a 'better be safe than sorry' strategy -as a translation what precaution is- seems the wisest thing to do.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) adds to this discussion by looking into the past. Always a good thing to think historically about risks and technology. The presentation of those historical examples of technology gone wrong leaves one wondering, however, whether or not the scientific representation is up to par.

Clearly it is not. However, not to the layman. One needs to be aware of all the scientific ins and outs to spot the possible biases. One example I myself am quite familiar with is the antibiotic case discussed by the EEA (chapter 9 in the downlodable version). Blatant omissions from the scientific discussion (leaving out essential scientific literature) spurs the authors of this chapter to a banal and trivial conclusion (p. 98 of the downloadable version):

'As the risks involved are of uncertain magnitude, the decisions on risk management are particularly difficult. The risk can obviously not be excluded with certainty, nor can it be de-termined as acceptable. In a climate of uncertainty it is preferable to show caution. In this situation decision-making needs to involve precaution, particularly when it is unacceptable, inhuman and unethical to wait for ultimate proof, when human fatalities could be involved.'

Of course this conclusion can be drawn for any case, not just this one. Moreover no amount of scientific research will ever result in certainty. The conclusion presented here in the EEA report is not in need of any scientific deliberation. It could do well without ten pages of scientific reviewing, whether or not biased in nature. Furthermore, the authors revert to the fallacy of an appeal to motives in place of support. They regard not invoking the PP as unacceptable, inhuman and unethical. Of course this is beside the point as it has very little to do with the scientific discourse at hand.

This brings me to the philosophical side of the issue. Any type of human action or inaction is fraught with uncertainty and therefore prone to the PP. So how to chose? The problem is that risks of one kind or another are on all sides of regulatory choices, and it is therefore impossible to avoid running afoul of the principle. The PP promotes irrational behaviour by the assumption that regulating target risks (the historical examples presented in the EEA study) is overall beneficial ánd that the costs of risk avoidance with only the specific target risks in view can be met on any scale -which is clearly not the case. Moreover, this asymmetry is enhanced by the fact that those who invoke the PP -the policymakers- do not need to adhere to it themselves despite the fact that any human intervention holds uncertainties for the future.

The EEA treats the PP as though it were an exogenous panacea for environmental and social ills. In other words: market risks warrants governmental regulation. But government regulation is not an exogenous solution to environmental risks; it is itself an endogenous and fallible human activity, and as such it can create risks. Risks that are as real as the risks of market (economic) activities: care can cure but care can also cripple.

The odd thing is that no discussion what so ever is presented by the EEA on the problems of the PP. Not a single reference to the ever growing scientific literature highly critical of the PP. Whichever side one choses, within the scientific discourse one has to deal with scientific criticism from both sides.

My conclusion therefore must be that the EEA did not so much present a scientific piece of work on this issue but made a political statement on how to deal with risk. It is part of the 'ecological critique' of the Western World which Anna Bramwell described so well in her 'Ecology in the twentieth century'. The PP fits well with a misanthropic view of progress combined with a relativistic perspective on science. Therefore the PP empowers bureaucracy as the scientific check and balances are side-tracked in its implementation. Indeed a recipe for increasing social and political struggles and stagnating economies.

Book Description

A completely revised, updated edition of the bestselling guide to the millions of dollars available for free from the federal government

Even in the best of times, starting and running a small business can be an uphill battle. To help make life easier, Free Money(r) guru Laurie Blum shows you how to successfully tap into the hundreds of millions of dollars in government funding available free to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Grants range from $5,000 to some in the six figures, and best of all, absolutely none of them ever have to be paid back.

1,500 grants available from 52 government agencies

Complete addresses, phone and fax numbers, and contact names
Easy-to-use format with grants grouped by state and according to business category (agricultural, real estate, minorities, general business, R&D, etc.)
Step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a grant and how to write a winning proposal
Sample application forms and an extensive bibliography listing government and private foundation sourcebooks as well as other helpful publications

Customer Reviews:

Misleading is and understatement!!!.......2007-07-25

First of all I agree with what everyone has already said but I must reinterate what a waste this book is. I have had this book sitting around for a while and decided to take a look since I am lokking to start my own business. CAN YOU SAY REDUNDANT? How on gods green earth did this book even get published? It is a lot of nothing over and ove again not to mention that it is all about loans not free money! There are about two pages in the intro about how to write a proposal and thats it. Supposedly there are sample application forms but unless my book is missing something there is none of that either.... not that it matters. WHATEVER YOU DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MOMEY ON THIS BOOK. I noticed that the author has another book on Amazon called "Free money when you're unemployed" Lord only knows what is in there!!??

No Free Money!!!!!!!.......2007-07-15

I have been a small business consultant for years and have followed up on many of the claims about "guaranteed" sources for grants and start-up money from government and other sources. If you are starting a for-profit business unless you have a new technology of interest to the government or are creating a significant number of new jobs in a depressed area, there is very little possibility of obtaining a grant. Most are far better off putting their time and resources into planning and starting up their business than pursuing grants and spending money on books, lists and other meida like this claiming to have the "secret" to getting free money. Most, like this, only provide lists and links to places to apply for grants which do not apply to the vast majority of people. Save your money and go see your local Small Business Development Center from some real free assistance in starting a business.

I totally agree with all the other complaints.......2006-11-11

Since you can tell how I feel about this book based on the title of my review, I won't repeat everything that's been said by the other reviewers so far. However, I will say that, as a small business owner who tries very hard to spend money wisely, I am SO NOT HAPPY that I spent close to $20 for this book that is of absolutely no value to me. I don't want to throw it away, but I certainly can't see where anybody would want to buy it if I re-sold it. This book was a total waste of money--if there were a 0-star rating, I'd give it that without hesitation.

I wish I had read these reviews.......2001-03-16

I wish I had seen these reviews for this book. It is worthless in terms of information on obtaining funds for small business. If your handicapped or a minority it might be of some use for loans. Nothing relevent for myself as an individual with no startup capital.

Ways to Call Local Government Agencies for Loan Applications.......2000-08-14

I rarely rate a book as one star. This book is the exception.

My favorite gripe about books is that some of them have misleading titles designed to make them more appealing to book buyers. That certainly describes this book. The bulk of the programs listed in the book are LOAN programs. I don't think loans are a source of free money. Do you? The author never explains why these are sources of free money.

Usually, when I find a misleading title, I still find a mostly worthwhile book underneath. This book is the exception. Almost all of the programs listed come from either the Small Business Administration, the Agriculture Department, or Housing and Urban Development. Each of these organizations will help you over the telephone or send you material on the programs they make available. Web sites are also available.

Why, then, is the book so thick? That's because it lists the same agencies at the same address over . . . and over . . . and over . . . and over. You get the idea. Properly organized, this book could have been condensed to about 20 percent of its size, and would have been easier to use. That would have reduced the costs to the readers and the profits to the publisher and author. Can't have that, can we?

Let's look at the next problem. This book was published in this edition in 1996. There's been a lot of change in government programs since then. So undoubtedly, a lot of this information is out of date. A book like this should be updated at least every two years.

Finally, once you find out who to talk to or write to, what do you do? The book claims to help you design your application and use your grant properly. I found the material on that subject to be very brief and general. Few would find it adequate to succeed in even getting an SBA loan. Lengthy books are written on that subject alone!

If you want to get help from these agencies, find someone who has experience with them to help you (like your banker, attorney, accountant or neighbor). Even if you need to call information in your state to get the telephone number of the relevant governmental agency, that will still cost a lot less than this book.

Do not buy, and do not read this book.

If ever I have seen an example of a miscommunication about how to improve a business, it is in the form of this book. I encourage you to consider ways to redesign your business's basic operating model (perhaps through more outsourcing) as a way to reduce your need for capital, as a substitute to taking on loans from the Federal Government.

Book Description

This book is more ambitious in its scope than originally intended. In the beginning we were simply attempting to write a textbook for use in our public budgeting and financial management course at the Naval Postgraduate School because we could not find another book that covered all that we wanted to teach to our students. However, as we wrote pieces of the book over a period of years, we realized that it would be possible and desirable to produce a book with much broader coverage and relevance.

Budgeting and financial management in the U.S. federal government is highly complex and highly differentiated, e.g., in the processes employed by the Executive branch versus those used by Congress. In this book we attempt to cover the processes of both the Executive and Congress and the relationships between the two. The book provides views from several perspectives, e.g., managerial and political. We attempt to provide readers with an understanding of how federal budget and financial management processes are supposed to operate. However, we then go a step further to show how these processes actually operate often in contrast to the intended template. Additionally, this book is intended to capture and combine the views of the academic and the practitioner, including those of the participants in the process. For the above reasons, we believe this work is unique relative to other books written in this topic area.

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Free Dollars from the Federal Government
Laurie Blum
Manufacturer: Macmillan General Reference
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0133273962

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Budgeting And Financial Management In The Federal Government - Volume 1 In The Series, Research In Public Management
Jerry L.; Jones, L. R. Mccaffery
Manufacturer: Information Age Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OP8ZBC

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Budgeting and Financial Management in the Federal Government. (Off the Shelf).: An article from: Armed Forces Comptroller
Jerry L. McCaffery , and L.R. Jones
Manufacturer: American Society of Military Comptrollers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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ASIN: B0008G4XF4
Release Date: 2005-07-30

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Armed Forces Comptroller, published by American Society of Military Comptrollers on September 22, 2002. The length of the article is 3715 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Budgeting and Financial Management in the Federal Government. (Off the Shelf).
Author: Jerry L. McCaffery
Publication: Armed Forces Comptroller (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 2002
Publisher: American Society of Military Comptrollers
Volume: 47 Issue: 4 Page: 46(5)

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Budgeting. (From the Library).(excerpt from the Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management)(Excerpt): An article from: Government Finance Review

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Budgeting. (From the Library).(excerpt from the Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management)(Excerpt): An article from: Government Finance Review
Bernard Pitsvada , and Felix LoStracco
Manufacturer: Government Finance Officers Association
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Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from Government Finance Review, published by Government Finance Officers Association on October 1, 2002. The length of the article is 349 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Budgeting. (From the Library).(excerpt from the Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management)(Excerpt)
Author: Bernard Pitsvada
Publication: Government Finance Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2002
Publisher: Government Finance Officers Association
Volume: 18 Issue: 5 Page: 55(1)

Article Type: Excerpt

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The federal budget: connecting resources to results. (includes related article on NASA): An article from: Government Finance Review

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The federal budget: connecting resources to results. (includes related article on NASA): An article from: Government Finance Review
G. Edward DeSeve , and Scott Quehl
Manufacturer: Government Finance Officers Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from Government Finance Review, published by Government Finance Officers Association on August 1, 1996. The length of the article is 2155 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: Balancing the budget has become the concern of the federal government. Federal agencies are being forced to reexamine their priorities and measure program results. Accountability tools such as performance measures and financial reporting are being applied by federal managers. The development of accountability presents commitment to a balanced budget. The Chief Financial Officers Act, the Government Management Reform Act, the Government Performance and Results Act and the Information Technology and Management Reform Act are proof of Congress' commitment to government accountability.

Citation Details
Title: The federal budget: connecting resources to results. (includes related article on NASA)
Author: G. Edward DeSeve
Publication: Government Finance Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 1996
Publisher: Government Finance Officers Association
Volume: v12 Issue: n4 Page: p31(2)

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Accountability and Results in Federal Budgeting: Hearing Before the Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security S

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Accountability and Results in Federal Budgeting: Hearing Before the Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security S

Manufacturer: Not Avail
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0160762855

Capital budgeting for the federal government: Statement of Frederick D. Wolf, Director, Accounting and Financial Management Division, before the Subcommittee ... House of Representatives (Testimony)

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Capital budgeting for the federal government: Statement of Frederick D. Wolf, Director, Accounting and Financial Management Division, before the Subcommittee ... House of Representatives (Testimony)
Frederick D Wolf
Manufacturer: U.S. General Accounting Office
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00071ORZG

Financial management: Budgeting and reporting under Federal contracts and grants

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Financial management: Budgeting and reporting under Federal contracts and grants
Phyllis Trudeau
Manufacturer: University of California
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0006X0NA8

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This digital document is an article from Michigan Law Review, published by Michigan Law Review Association on May 1, 1999. The length of the article is 6886 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Mass Atrocity, Collective Memory, and the Law. (1999 Survey of Books Related to the Law) (book reviews) (book reviews) (book reviews)
Author: Gary Jonathan Bass
Publication: Michigan Law Review (Refereed)
Date: May 1, 1999
Publisher: Michigan Law Review Association
Volume: 97 Issue: 6 Page: 2103

Article Type: Book Review

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Book Description

1911. From the Preface: The cotton industry is probably the greatest single industry in the world if the cultivation, manufacture, commerce, and the uses of the cotton products are considered. The influence of the cotton plant on the history of America is especially interesting. The commerce of the Middle Ages, Columbus's discovery of America, the trade between England and her American colonies, the revolution of the colonies, the War of 1812, the building of the nation, the institution of slavery, the tariff question, the extension of the nation beyond the Mississippi, the Civil War, and the rebuilding of the South were all deeply affected by the cotton industry; and the world's commerce for more than a century has been affected largely by it. For nearly a century the industrial life of the South has been either directly or indirectly related to the cotton industry, and this industry controlled for many years the politics of this country and influenced in no small measure the politics of Europe.

THE STORY OF COTTON AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COTTON STATES

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THE STORY OF COTTON AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COTTON STATES

Manufacturer: Rand McNally & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0000D5L3Y

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