Ecological Imperialism, Development, and the Capitalist World-System: Cases from Africa and Asia

Extreme inequality and the ecological crisis are two major trends challenging the sustainability of human civilization. This book argues that they are intrinsically linked by global ecological crises, neoliberal globalization, orthodox development policies, and imperialism. It examines the characteristics of the capitalist world-system and how it enables and drives ecological imperialism, with capitals having unfettered access to and exploitation of Nature across the planet. Neoliberal development policies have reinforced a contemporary form of ecological imperialism, where the environments of the Global South are enclosed and exploited, and local communities are dispossessed of their land and livelihoods. Resources from the Global South are funneled to the Global North in the form of consumer goods and ecologically unequal exchange, while profits are siphoned away to transnational corporations, financiers, and government elites.

Format: Hardback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The sustainability of human civilization faces two significant challenges: extreme inequality and the ecological crisis. This book argues that these issues are interconnected, as it delves into the complex relationships between global ecological crises, neoliberal globalization, orthodox development policies, and imperialism. Extensive theoretical, historical, policy, and empirical research, along with fieldwork in Africa and Asia, form the basis of this comprehensive examination.

The capitalist world-system, characterized by unfettered access to and exploitation of Nature across the globe, is explored in depth. Neoliberal globalization has facilitated capital's unrestricted access to and exploitation of Nature, while neoliberal development policies have reinforced a contemporary form of ecological imperialism. This form of imperialism involves the enclosure and exploitation of the environments of the Global South, as well as the dispossession of local communities from their land and livelihoods. Simultaneously, resources from the Global South are funneled to the Global North in the form of consumer goods and ecologically unequal exchange, with profits from these resources being siphoned away to transnational corporations, financiers, and government elites.

This work traces the historical development of free market policies, while also paying particular attention to the role of Northern international financial institutions, emerging economies (the semi-periphery), and the often-hidden role of international finance in ecological imperialism. By examining these interconnections, the book sheds light on the mechanisms that enable and drive ecological imperialism, offering valuable insights for scholars and students of political economy, critical development studies, environmental sociology, and political ecology.

Weight: 570g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367204105