Abstract

Presumably, this is a propaganda tract on the virtues of the Soviet system in handling ecological problems. It is a horrifying book if the author believes what he writes. There is little of interest here in terms of new or profound discussion of ecological problems; such interest as the book has lies in its display of a style of thought. Federov presents the official Soviet position on questions arising from discussions on limits to growth. In doing so, he reveals the ideology of many “socialist” planners, one shared in part by other segments of technocratic elites.

Although Federov seems to understand certain aspects of our cascade of ecological crises, he has a steadfast optimism.