Resource Extraction as a Development Model? Current Pathways and Conflicts

MARISTELLA SVAMPA

Viena

Congreso; First Autrian Conference on international ressources. Toward Internacional Ressource Fairness. Theories, Conflicts and Policies.; 2014

Universidad de Viena

Panel: Resource Extraction as a Development Model? Current Pathways and Conflicts PanelistsMarcel Bursztyn (Brazil)Khin Zaw Win (Myanmar)Maristella Svampa (Argentina)In recent years, the extraction of natural resources has gained momentum due to rising demand and prices. Globally, countries have rediscovered the extraction of natural resources as an important source of income generation and economic growth, both in the global North (e.g. tar sand, fracking, and shale gas in Canada and the US) and South (e.g. soybean or minerals in Latin America, extraction of rare earth in China, oil and gas in Myanmar). This focus on resource extraction is increasingly seen as a development model (e.g. under the catchword neo-extractivism in Latin America), although different theoretical perspectives (e.g. dependency theory, resource curse) have warned for decades about the threats of a one-sided resource dependency. Besides this political-economic threat (e.g. economic dependency, corruption), the extraction of resources is accompanied by massive environmental destruction and social conflicts. This panel deals with the (renewed) focus on resource extraction with a special focus on the global South. The panelists are encouraged to trace the debate on the connection between the extraction of natural resources and development in their respective countries/regions and highlight conflicts that come along with these perspectives and actual implementation.Leading questions for the panel are:-Is there a renewed focus on resource extraction in specific regions or countries (e.g. Myanmar, Brazil, Argentina) and what are the specific characteristics of this boom?-What are current debates on the connection between resource extraction and development?-What are the driving forces of resource extractivism internationally and within the countries (national/international/local actors and institutions)?-Are there any specific regional differences with regard to resource extraction (e.g. role of the state or transnational corporations, social redistribution of benefits, social acceptance or resistance)?