This book brings together state-of-the-art papers by Resources for the Future staff members and by scholars associated with current programs of environmental quality research. Although some empirical findings are presented, the emphasis is primarily on theory and method. Divided into three parts, the initial section, "The Environment and Economic Growth," offers theoretical and empirical projections for the impact of growth on the natural environment. The second section, "Developing Management Programs," includes not only formal mathematical models that will aid in understanding the complex interrelationships among human activities and environmental systems, but also analyses of public policy alternatives. In the final part, "Designing Political and Legal Institutions," the contributors discuss questions of social choice, legal strategies, and power structure in environmental quality management. Of value to researchers, planners, and administrators in universities, government, and industry, the book demonstrates that progress is being made in the social sciences to meet the need for improved management of our common property resources. (BL)