Director, Environmental Studies
Professor of English

STUDY QUESTIONS

Doug Aberley, “Interpreting Bioregionalism”

Bioregionalism. Ed. Michael Vincent McGinnis.

A problem

1. Why does Aberley believe it is a difficult task to tell the story of bioregionalism? (13-14)

The historical development of bioregionalism

2. What was the “pre-history” of proto-bioregionalism before the 1970s? (14-15)

3. What were Gary Snyder’s contributions to the “tentative expressions” of bioregionalism? What were Peter Berg’s? How are they different in personality and approach? What is their common view about the relationship between nature and culture? (15-20)

4. Peter Berg and Raymond Dasmann developed several terms. What do the terms “living-in-place” and “reinhabitation” mean? What is significant about Berg’s and Dasmann’s definition of “bioregion”? (23) According to Aberley, what is bioregionalism’s most potent characteristic? Why does he think it is “potent?” Do you agree? (25)

5. How was Sale’s Dwellers in the Land instrumental in introducing bioregionalism to general public? (29-31) What challenge and opportunity does Sale offer? What criticisms were raised about the book?

6. What was the significance to bioregionalism of Thomas Berry’s Dream of the Earth? What are his “six functions” of bioregional living? (32) What has been the range of spiritual sources for bioregionalism? (33)

7. How does Aberley describe the “mainstream discovery” and “(mal)adaptation” of bioregionalism? What are his criticisms and fears concerning them? Do you agree with those criticisms? Why or why not? (34-35)

Analysis and assessment of the bioregional movement

8. According to Aberley, what are the three central values of bioregionalism? (25) What is Aberley’s “synthesis” of bioregional ideals? (36-37) What do you find appealing and compelling about these ideals? What concerns do they raise? Do you see any differences in ideas or emphasis between Aberley and Sale?

9. What are the two broad categories of bioregional practice? What is the significance of having both kinds of practice? (25)

10. What are “figures of regulation?” Why are they significant to a bioregional society? How does the performance of a dance help us understand this term? Do you think his idea of “figures of regulation” are a good way to go? Why or why not? (25-26)

11. What has kept bioregionalism from becoming better known? What problems does it face? What strengths does it have? What is Aberley’s assessment of the future growth of bioregionalism? (30, 33-38)

Back Home