Over the past four decades the world has seen a 'Green awakening'. Green parties have been elected to parliaments and councils all over the world, and in many cases have played a part in national and local government. A common set of Green priorities has been promoted by Green internationalisation and these parties are playing an increasing role at all levels of political decision-making. Will the Green awakening continue or will Greens be corrupted by power? What impact has Green politics had? Will Green thinking be able to compete with other ideologies in coping with the problems of the 21st century? Green Politics analyses these issues on the basis of the experience of Green parties from all parts of the world. Per Gahrton, a sociologist and veteran of Green politics, provides the whole story of the expansion and development of the Greens worldwide, from local environmental groups to national and global decision-makers. This is essential reading for anyone who is or wants to be involved in a political movement that is challenging the more traditional parties for a progressive future.
1. A Green awakening
Part One: The Rise of the Greens
2. The first Green parties
3. The Green parties of Europe
4. Towards a united European Green Party
5. The Green parties of America
6. The Green parties of the East and South (Africa, Asia and Oceania)
7. The Global Greens
Part Two: Green politics, present and future
8. Green thinking
9. The impact of Green parties
10. Conditions for a Green Breakthrough
11. A Green future?
Per Gahrton is a Swedish sociologist and politician, former MP and MEP of the Swedish Greens and (until 2014) and chair of the Green think tank Cogito. He was the 1985-89 co-secretary of the Coordination of European Greens. He has participated at all congresses of the Global Greens. His previous books include Georgia: Pawn in the New Great Game (Pluto, 2010).