Transforming asymmetrical conflicts over natural resources in the Global South

Abstract

This Special Feature reexamines the relationship between natural resources and processes of conflict and cooperation as they occur in the Global South. Here we introduce key issues and reflect on learning from recent research. While covering a range of resources, contributions share an emphasis on middle-range theory in terms of moving from empirical phenomenon to analytical understanding. What emerges are nuanced understandings of conflict and cooperation, as embedded within specific contexts and wider processes of power and accumulation. In considering how social-ecological resilience can emerge for the poorest and most marginalized groups in the Global South, middle-range theory built upon comparative case study research and data-rich analyses brings issues of environmental (in)justice in resource access and distribution to the fore. Our conclusions reiterate a view of conflict transformation whose dynamics are locally situated with complex drivers that negate any conjuring of simplistic solutions and underline the important role research can play in informing appropriate development action.

Small-scale gold mining and the COVID-19 pandemic: Conflict and cooperation in the Brazilian Amazon

“…On the other side, the pandemic highlights the capacity of garimpeiros to self-organize and navigate the difficulties by finding alternative solutions. As often occurs in situations of conflict, actors discover new organization and mobilization strategies to cope with periods of crisis, revealing the dynamics of cooperation embedded in these processes ( Ferreira et al., 2007 ; Fisher et al., 2018 ). Cooperatives and associations emerged to achieve the longed-for formalization and legalization of the ASGM activity.…”

Revisiting the drivers of deforestation in the tropics: Insights from local and key informant perceptions in western Uganda

“…This may mask real drivers of forest loss where more locallevel complexities are ignored (Angelsen and Kaimowitz, 1999). This can lead to both inappropriate policy prescriptions and /or management strategies that are insufficiently tailored to actions that will be effective in the local context (Fisher et al 2018). In this paper, we unravel some of the nuances in the drivers of deforestation considering local-level variations in the Northern Albertine Rift Landscape.…”

Rethinking capitalist transformation of fisheries in South Africa and India

“…Because this paper is part of a special issue on conflict and cooperation (Fisher et al 2018), it is important that we highlight how both are relevant to our analysis. First, fisher resistance to capitalist transformation, often with the support of NGOs, is a story of conflict between different fishery sectors with regard to access rights and government support.…”