Historic state-society relations and mobilisations surrounding extractive industries: lessons from Peru

Abstract

Various researchers have sought to explain why community organisations respond differently to mining projects. One important, understudied factor is the local history of state-society relations, which shape specific collective identities as well as organisational structures. This study compares the mobilisation processes in two Peruvian mining projects: Rio Blanco in Huancabamba and Bambas in Cotabambas. The former region has a history of strong peasant self-defence organisation, and community demands have focused on local control of territory. The latter region experienced both state neglect and civil society breakdown under the Shining Path, and community demands focus on compensation and social services. The study shows that collective identities greatly affect the ability of local communities to act based on their own definition of their interests in a mining project.