The political economy of Latin American conflicts over mining extractivism

Abstract

This paper examines the rise of extractivism in contemporary Latin America, its centrality in its economic development, and key features of how extractivism is politically governed here. In addition, the paper explores the similarities and differences of extractivism across the region. While there is a common pattern of deeper dependence on the extraction of natural resources all across Latin America, a transnational and comparative analysis of the processes of politicisation of extractivism that have occurred in different countries allows for an understanding of the subtleties and differences of each form of governance of natural resources. Through a comparative analysis of different countries in the region I argue that, despite political ideologies of different governments, it is possible to observe an increasing dependence on extractivism. Such continuity has created expectations in terms of poverty, inequality and unemployment reduction, which generates popular support for extractivism. Yet, it has also led to extensive human rights violations at the local level, creating limitations for social mobilisation.