Environmental law’s settlement into ordinary life also dulled its effectiveness.

Evidence

Environmental law had come of age as environmentalism became deeply embedded in all aspects of American life, including law. Of course, as described in this final part of the book, age has its own costs. What renders law more settled and less controversial may simultaneously render it less effective. — Richard J. Lazarus, The Making of Environmental Law, 732

Categorization

• DEEPTHINKING: The central paradox — institutionalization both legitimates and desiccates a reform movement — is stated with unusual compression.
• XREF: connects to: Rationally superior cross-media reform failed for lack of political support. — Richard J. Lazarus, The Making of Environmental Law, 738; A law that has lost its content becomes indistinguishable from life

Broader Connections

• A law that has lost its content becomes indistinguishable from life #expands (0.82)