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Expressions of Violence and Resistance: Uncovering the Hidden Realities of Extractive Industries

Cade Simmons

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Published in Our Extractive Age: Expressions Of Violence And Resistance (Routledge Studies Of The Extractive Industries And Sustainable Development)

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The world's thirst for natural resources fuels a vast and complex industry known as the extractive sector. While this sector provides essential materials for our modern lives, it often comes at a heavy cost to the communities and environments in which it operates.

In the groundbreaking book Expressions of Violence and Resistance: Routledge Studies of the Extractive Industries, a team of leading scholars delves into the hidden realities of extractive industries, uncovering the intricate dynamics of power, exploitation, and resilience.

Our Extractive Age: Expressions of Violence and Resistance (Routledge Studies of the Extractive Industries and Sustainable Development)

by Judith Shapiro

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1177 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	269 pages

Corporate Dominance and Structural Violence

At the heart of the extractive sector lies a fundamental power imbalance. Multinational corporations wield immense economic and political influence, enabling them to operate with impunity in many parts of the world.

This corporate dominance manifests in various forms of structural violence, including:

Environmental degradation and health hazards
Land grabbing and displacement of communities
Suppression of opposition and human rights violations

These forms of structural violence have devastating consequences for the lives and livelihoods of those affected.

Community Resistance and the Power of Non-Violence

Despite the overwhelming power of corporate interests, communities around the world are rising up in resistance. Expressions of Violence and Resistance showcases inspiring examples of non-violent resistance movements that are challenging corporate dominance and reclaiming their rights.

These movements employ a range of strategies, including:

Legal battles and advocacy campaigns
Grassroots organizing and community mobilization
Non-violent direct action and civil disobedience

Through these non-violent means, communities are asserting their agency, demanding justice, and protecting their futures.

Indigenous Peoples at the Frontlines

Indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of extractive industries. Their traditional lands and livelihoods are often targeted, leading to cultural disruption, displacement, and health problems.

Expressions of Violence and Resistance highlights the crucial role of Indigenous peoples in the resistance against extractive industries. They possess unique knowledge and perspectives, and their traditional governance systems offer alternative models of sustainable development.

Environmental Justice and a Just Transition

The extractive sector has a profound impact on the environment, contributing significantly to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Expressions of Violence and Resistance calls for a just transition to a sustainable future. This involves phasing out fossil fuels, investing in renewable energy, and ensuring that the costs and benefits of extractive industries are shared equitably.

Achieving environmental justice requires addressing the systemic inequalities and power imbalances that perpetuate environmental degradation.

Expressions of Violence and Resistance is a powerful and timely contribution to the discourse on extractive industries. It lifts the veil on the hidden realities of this sector, revealing the intimate connections between violence, resistance, and the struggle for justice.

By shedding light on these complex dynamics, the book empowers readers to understand the challenges faced by affected communities and inspires a collective movement for a more just and sustainable future.

Call to Action

Join the growing movement for change. Support organizations working on the frontlines of resistance, advocate for environmental justice, and demand a just transition. Together, we can create a world where the rights of communities and the environment are respected and protected.

Our Extractive Age: Expressions of Violence and Resistance (Routledge Studies of the Extractive Industries and Sustainable Development)

by Judith Shapiro

4 out of 5