One of the central arguments in this book is that the spread of environmental values is founded on successful attempts to adopt and promote new concepts. I am using the term concept in both a general and a specific sense. In a general sense, it refers to an idea or theoretical construct (for instance, the notion of ‘the limits to economic growth’). In a specific sense, it refers to a procedure (for instance, the practice of ‘ecologically sustainable development’).

By focusing on conceptual innovations (and on changes in perceptions and behaviour that have followed from them), I intend to explore:

• how environmentalism has come to play a more prominent role on the political agenda;

• why the response by established elites has, for long periods of time, been slow, protracted and uncoordinated and, at others, rapid and on a large scale; and

• how established political organisations may, in future, be better able to deal with issues raised by social movements, pressure groups and other concerned citizens.

The previous chapters foreshadowed some of the obstacles and possibilities for political institutions and organisations in meeting new challenges. These obstacles and possibilities will be discussed in more detail in the following chapters. Before exploring these further, I will outline some of the speculations that will guide the empirical analysis of environmental politics and institutional change. The overall scheme is presented in Figure 3.1, which depicts a hypothesised sequence of how certain groups shape the policy agenda and public opinion.