Resources, opportunities and local environmental action in the democratic transition and early consolidation periods in the Czech Republic

This research examines factors shaping the responses of Czech communities to proposed landfills, incinerators, highways and protected area development between 1992 and 1996. Structured interviews conducted with the mayors of 237 communities revealed that: incinerator and highway proposals were related to individual interactions with officials; increased political opportunities also were associated with individual interactions with elected officials; and newly available resources such as independent media, technical assistance, and local environmental organisations were related to institutional participation and more expressive behaviours. These patterns suggest that in transitional states, specific issues and political openness may draw people into local environmental politics, but it is the presence of resources typically associated with democratic systems that provides support for institutional and collective forms of action.