Political Science
DepartmentPolitical Science
DepartmentProfessor IRA ROHTER earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1967, and joined the University of Hawaii in 1968. Professor Rohter regularly teaches courses in the Politics of Hawaii, Political Ecology and Development,Environmental Politics, and alternative futures.
His courses in the "Politics of Hawai`i" (POLS 301, 302, 686) examine the economic, social, cultural, environmental, and political forces that influence this mid-Pacific island state, with its unique natural setting, peopled by a mix of races and cultures. His courses also challenge students to think about fashioning alternative institutions based on values that emphasize ecological balance of land, water, and human resources; a fairer economy that is community-centered and based on self-reliance; human-scale and efficient social and government organizations; sustainable cities that are friendly and neighborhood-oriented; and decentralized political and economic power with maximum citizen participation in government decision-making.
His graduate seminar (POLS 646F), "Political Ecology and Development," examines the emerging fields of sustainable development, alternative economic theory and practices, concepts such as "civic environmentalism," "ecological industrialism," "natural capitalism," and new methods of public administration and policy making that promote sustainability, social justice, and humane values.
His newest undergraduate course, Environmental Politics (POLS 378G), examines the state of the world and connection to prevailing models of public policymaking, globalism and corporatism. The course emphasizes both the political economy causing environmental problems, as well as solutions at many governmental levels, and the issue of agency and political mobilization (i.e., who are the actors and what strategies should the pursue?)
In 1992, Professor Rohter published his book — A Green Hawai`i: Sourcebook for Development Alternatives, which offers a handbook of analysis and solutions for sustainable development advocates and government policymakers in Hawai'i and Pacific islands.
For many years Rohter has been actively involved in public policy issues dealing with social justice, environmentalism, and community economic well-being. He played key roles in the formation and actions of grassroots and political groups. He authored bills and legislation and led campaigns to get them passed in county councils and the state legislature. He has written frequent op-ed pieces and known by many office holders and media people for his analyses of Hawai`i political trends and knowledge about alternative energy, sustainable agriculture and forestry, and grassroot political activism.
See ""Philosopher Takes Action " article.
Combining community activism and academic analysis is known within the profession as doing "public scholarship." As the Department mission statement asserts: "The graduate program in Political Science is both an intellectual and a community resource." His teaching has a similar orientation, combining academic theorizing applied to contemporary situations. Theses activities are also consistent with UH's role as a public land grant institution, which include multiple responsibilities to Island students, the larger community, and State policymakers.
The book A Green Hawai`i: Sourcebook for Development Alternatives consciously was not written as an academic tome, but conceived and presented as a tool for policy makers and change-oriented activists. Copies have been circulated among Hawai`i's and Pacific Islands' policy makers. Mike Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Honolulu's business-oriented Enterprise Honolulu, distributes the essay on "A Green Economy for Hawai`i" as he advocates sustainable economic development in the Islands. Its introductory chapters, which review Hawai`i's economic facts-of-life, have been cited in major articles appearing in the New York Times and the The Economist. Hunter Lovins, founder of the internationally known Rocky Mountain Institute, considers Green Hawai`i as "one of the most fabulous books for any place on what to do!" to promote sustainable development.
Professor Rohter was a founding member of the Transformational Politics section of the American Political Science Association. In 1992 he helped found the Hawai`i Green Party, and served as a Co-Chair for many years. Currently he serves as the President of the Hawai`i Clean Elections project [www.VoterOwnedHawaii.org], and as a vice president of the Hawai`i Coalition Against Legalized Gambling [www.hcalg.org]
Office Phone: (808) 956-7277 --- E-mail: irohter@hawaii.edu
