Ecocentrism in modern political and legal discourse (on new subjects of law)

The problem concerning Man's place and his role in Nature is acquiring evermore importance in the present-day world. The anthropocentric approach, which is characteristic of the Western model of human life in the world, has led us into a blind alley. The given article offers an analysis of certain novelties in the legislation of several countries (Bolivia, Ecuador, Germany and others) that have conferred upon Nature and animals the legal right of a subject of law; they insist upon the inter-dependence of rights and duties of Nature and Man, and raise the question of a state-sponsored ecology policy. The authors arrive at the conclusion that only such an approach of humanity to the regulation of these relations can naturally lead to the development of new norms of law regulating the interaction of Nature, society and man.