Agriculture and the environment — a case study of the Želivka catchment, Czech Republic

0352159 - BC 2011 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Orderud, G.I. - Políčková-Dobiášová, Berenika
Agriculture and the environment — a case study of the Želivka catchment, Czech Republic.
Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning. Roč. 12, č. 2 (2010), s. 201-221. ISSN 1523-908X. E-ISSN 1522-7200
Grant - others:EU(CZ) EVK1-CT-2001-00096
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60170517
Keywords : water resources * environmental regulations * transition economy * agriculture * cultural landscape * Czech Republic
Subject RIV: DJ - Water Pollution ; Quality
Impact factor: 0.951, year: 2010

In spite of reduction in some types of pollution, environmental degradation continues in former Central and Eastern European countries, mostly as structural inertia and remnants of the old system. Taking the Želivka catchment in South Bohemia of the Czech Republic as a case study, this article provides an institutional analysis of the environmental dimension of the transition process by focusing on agriculture. In spite of a break-out of the overall path dependency of the previous institutional system of the Soviet bloc, path dependencies linger on at other levels wrapped in new clothing. For instance, large-scale, environmentally degrading farming practice prevails, shifting its legitimacy from production targets set by the state to profitability targets. These actors are challenged by small-scale farmers and by popular support for environmental friendly agricultural practices. However, against the eroding viability of local communities, environmentalism is fighting an up-hill battle.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0191736