Redefining Red and Green

Book excerpt: Redefining Red and Green explores the political strategies of two European ecology parties, the socialist German Grünen and the radically democratic French Les Verts. The strategies represent typical choices—and dilemmas—of progressive politics, with far-reaching implications. Once proud of their "anti-political" stance, the ideas of these former militant outsiders have been integrated into mainstream political discourse. Now green parties are a recognized political force in their respective countries. In this book, Shull examines the full range of strategic choices made by the parties and probes the limits and tradeoffs involved in each choice, and in any strategy for progressive reform. The growth and transformation of the Grünen and Les Verts is of universal importance. Reader's sympathetic to the environmental movement will want to explore the different paths the Greens have taken in Europe. Those concerned about the future of the Left in the United States and Europe will be interested in the dialogue between ecologists and specialists on the subject. Scholars and students of social movements, parties, or contemporary political thought will find a fresh comparison and an original theoretical synthesis.