Elizabeth Economy’s “The River Runs Black. Book Review

Book Review of The River Runs Black
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Book Review of The River Runs Black
Elizabeth Economy’s “The River Runs Black: The Environmental Challenge to China’s Future” portrays China’s environmental degradation that has significantly contributed to the slowdown of economic growth, mass migration, social instability, and public health issues. The primary thesis shows the adverse environmental consequences of the sustained economic growth that has been experienced in the last three decades.
China has failed to get the balance between economic growth and environmental conservation. If the situation does not change, the country’s level of pollution will increase, resulting in adverse impacts on public health. In the long run, the environment will be inhabitable such that many people might become sick and unproductive economically. Chapter two, “A Legacy of Exploitation,” shows how Confucianism has contributed to the current environmental condition in China (Economy, 2010). In particular, as opposed to Buddhism and Taoism, which emphasize environmental conversation, Confucianism supports the exploitation of the surroundings for the benefits of humans. For example, it encourages deforestation so that the rapid increase in populat...