The end of international environmentalism.

• Author: Skeen, Ilene L.
• Position: Letters - Letter to the editor

Ronald Bailey's "The End of International Environmentalism" (October) was most interesting when he noted that the worst degradation is occurring in areas and resources that are controlled by governments. His explanation is priceless: "That's because owners protect their resources, since they directly suffer the consequences of not doing so."

Well said! Unfortunately, while those at the forefront of the green movement know its ideology and programs are failures, the general public is about 20 years behind. They have grown up being bombarded with green propaganda, and they are generally committed to what Bailey calls "democratic capitalism."

What does this mean? Democracy is the untrammeled rule of the majority. Capitalism is the economic system that protects property rights. Thus at best "democratic capitalism" can only mean the grudging allowance of property ownership as long as it pays suitable...