§Abstract
The first section of this paper provided an argument for the need for local public participation to drive the environmental policy decision making process. Research conducted in Fiji and in Belize provided two case studies that presented potential areas for such participation. In the following chapters I go into more depth with how to effect public participation and potential problems that might arise using my work in Latvia (2001-2002). In this section, I combine a literature review of applicable decision-making psychology research, an independently conducted survey of public perceptions, and a presentation of socioeconomic and cultural factors to examine the implications and potential for public participation in environmental management for this area.
The first two chapters of this section (chapter six and seven) provide a literature review of applicable work from decision-making and cultural psychology. The third chapter of this section (chapter eight) provides an examination of important Latvian historical, socioeconomic, ecological, and cultural variables and comments on the implications of the Soviet legacy for environmental policy. The fourth chapter of this section (chapter nine) provides the actual Latvia case study. I conclude the section and the document with a chapter (chapter ten) where I summarize the fundamental implications from this entire paper and potential areas for future research.
The goal of this section is to examine how perceptions differ in Latvia among various social, political, ethnic, and economic groupings on environmental issues and the implications of perceptual differences for environmental policy decision-making. Accomplishing this goal involved assessing the environmental policy development process, historical issues, the role of scientific research, the roles and perceptions of both those involved in policy and the lay public, as well as the role of stakeholders such as business interests and multilateral organizations, including the World Bank, EBRD, UN, and European Union.
I began by attaining an understanding of both the legacy of the Soviet experience in Latvia and then focused on the current system for environmental policy development with specific focus on opportunities and impact of public participation. This was largely accomplished through literature review, discussion and interviews with people involved in these issues both historically and today, as well as participation in seminars organized by the Ministry of the Environment and various NGOs.
While literature review, discussions, and seminars were an ongoing process, once I had attained a basic historically grounded context for the current situation, I used my research to develop a survey on environmental perceptions. Members of NGOs, the Environmental Ministry, students from three schools, the ex-pat community, and members of the general public filled out the instrument. Analysis of the results of the survey, discussions with scholars, legislators, officials involved in policy making as well as the lay public, and my literature review provided the source material for completion of the case study.