Pipeline conflicts, coalitions, and strategic action: A review of the literature

Abstract

A systematic review was conducted of the peer-reviewed, social science literature on the strategic action of coalitions and social movements involved in oil-and-gas pipeline conflicts. The first part of the review covers four main aspects of strategy for both supporters and opponents of pipelines: goals of coalitions, targets of action, coalition composition and fragmentation, and institutional and extra-institutional tactics. Studies of the use of framing across the different areas of strategic action are also included. The second part reviews the emerging literature on the relationship between causal conditions and outcomes. Demographic, sociotechnical, and institutional variables are discussed in relationship to the level and type of mobilization, and combinations of institutional, sociotechnical, and strategic action variables are discussed for project outcomes. For researchers interested in coalitions, social movements, and conflicts over pipelines or extractive industries in general, each section includes a discussion of emerging and potential future research topics.