Examines why and how loggers have resisted and ignored calls for environmental reforms. Concentrating on the period after 1990, it explains what is happening on the ground and highlights the structures within which firms and governments operate. Within this broader context the author considers a range of factors including: the science of tropical forest management, the capacity of states to regulate and enforce rules, the relative power of environmental reformers, and the 1997/99 Asian financial crisis.
Part I. Introduction and Background: 1. Introduction; 2. Forest degradation in the Asia-Pacific; Part II. Context: 3. Scientific forestry and environmental failures; 4. Environmental reformers and state capacity in the Asia-Pacific; 5. The 1997 Asian financial crisis and forestry reforms; Part III. Corporations, Profits, and Uncertainty: 6. Capitalism and corporate structures; 7. The nature of profits; 8. High uncertainty; Part IV. Conclusion: 9. Fading into history or reimagining commercial forests?; Glossary.
'Anyone who thinks there are simple solutions should read this book ! given the increase in general texts it makes a refreshing change to see a single focus with depth especially where the case is so well argued.' British Ecological Society's Teaching Ecology Group Newsletter 'Dauvergne's book is a must for those studying social environmental or industrial issues within the Asia-Pacific as well as being an authoritative work for those wishing to gain an informed background to possible environmental implications associated with current forest related debates there.' Australian Journal of Environmental Management