The following review is by Joe Toscano in the Anarchist Age Weekly Review No 386, 5 Feb - 11 Feb, 2000, Melbourne.

FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOUR
An Introduction to Community based Social Marketing by Doug McKenzie-Mohr and William Smith. Published 1999 by New Society Publishing ISBN 0-86571-406-1

Fostering Sustainable Behaviour is another one of those ubiquitous how to books. The difference between this book and the how to become a Millionaire book is that the authors of this book expect their readers to take them seriously. Dr Doug McKenzie-Mohr, an environmentalist psychologist and the founder of the Social Marketing Movement has teamed up with Dr Wiliam A Smith, the Executive Vice President of the Academy for Educational Development based in Washington DC to produce this scintillating little gem..

The authors make two basic assumptions in their book; that people live in defined communities and that sustainable behaviour can be fostered and developed in a consumer driven world. If you believe in these assumptions you'll find fostering sustainable behaviour a fountainhead of knowledge. If you didn't believe in either assumption you're wasting your time reading this book.

How far people's behaviour is able to change is determined by their social conditions. Accepting present day reality and working within the parameters that dominant culture dictates is the best way to muzzle any struggle for change. Chapter after chapter attempts to tackle this very problem. If you believe reform is possible then grab this book, I'm sure you'll glean a wealth of information about how to work up the right channels. If you believe in radical social change, save your money for something with a little more bite.

Fostering Sustainable Behaviour is available from Anarres books. P.O. Box 150 EAST BRUNSWICK 3058 Melbourne AUSTRALIA Have a look at their current catalogue on the net www.anarres.org.au or Email your order to: mailorder@anarres.org.au