Terracotta Reader

Providing a counterpoint to the green movement, which depends upon greater government involvement in environmental issues, this selection of essays represents the philosophy of the terra-cotta movement. Literally named for materials made out of burnt earth, the terra-cotta movement values an aesthetic, contemplative, and spiritual relationship between natural resources and humankind, in contrast to the green movement’s claims that the environment needs protection from our extractive and consumptive nature. The terra-cotta movement offers a fresh, liberal perspective that aims to manage and enhance current environmental usage by restructuring civil incentives.

Parth J. Shah is founder and president of the Centre for Civil Society–New Delhi, a think tank for public-policy solutions within the framework of law, limited government, and competitive markets. Vidisha Maitra is a research associate at the Centre for Civil Society–New Delhi.