Political ecology should take populism seriously, not only because of its authoritarian or regressive manifestations, but also for its transformative potential.
Should political ecology be populist?
Ecology after capitalism
A series of upcoming posts on ENTITLEBlog seeks to foster emerging debates around egalitarian futures beyond accumulation and growth. In an intervention republished on this blog in October 2015, the political ecologist Giorgos Kallis provided important arguments for an emerging dialogue between degrowth and eco-socialism. Commenting on a recent piece by John Bellamy Foster, and challenging … Continue reading Ecology after capitalism
Why is Bolivian mining still irresponsible?
A recently published study explores the reasons why the socio-environmental implications of mining have not improved under Evo Morales. Mining activities entail serious social and environmental impacts, which are well known to local communities in Bolivia. That is why many of these communities were excited about the adoption of indigenous and community rights, environmental protection principles and … Continue reading Why is Bolivian mining still irresponsible?
‘Friendly colonialism’ and the contradictions of our progressive governments
by Eduardo Gudynas* Gudynas answers and reflects on the debate his arguments raised about colonialism and extractivism in Latin America. Weeks ago I shared some reflections on how some governments and progressive intellectuals who take ideas from the Global left, and use their limitations or deform them. It is a "friendly colonialism" because it allows them … Continue reading ‘Friendly colonialism’ and the contradictions of our progressive governments
Friendly colonialism and the ‘Harvey fashion’
by Eduardo Gudynas* Latin American progressive governments like citing Harvey's work because it allows them to position themselves against global capitalism while glossing over the contradictions of their own extractivist policies. One of the most striking issues in the critiques of capitalism coming from Latin America are the continuous invocations of the English geographer David Harvey. References … Continue reading Friendly colonialism and the ‘Harvey fashion’
The political ecology of HoPE
An ENTITLE public event in Istanbul presented what is perhaps the most ambitious essay collection to date on political ecology*. The new Routledge Handbook of Political Ecology (HoPE), edited by Tom Perreault, Gavin Bridge and James McCarthy, has just been published. During a Summer School which took place at Boğaziçi University Istanbul last 15-20 June, … Continue reading The political ecology of HoPE
El conflicto que cambió Bolivia
Un nuevo documental sobre la disputa por el TIPNIS explora la contradicción entre extractivismo y territorialidad indígena. “Asfaltar Bolivia”—el último documental del activista catalán Marc Gavaldá, del colectivo Alerta Amazónica—es una historia sobre las contradicciones del desarrollo. "Asfaltar Bolivia" muestra las dificultades para escapar de imaginarios capitalistas y coloniales de modernización y progreso—y la importancia de seguir intentándolo, a … Continue reading El conflicto que cambió Bolivia
Open letter to Rafael Correa: Stop the eviction of CONAIE
by Melissa Moreano* and Diego Andreucci Ecuador's President Rafael Correa has threatened to evict the indigenous organisation CONAIE from their headquarters, on political grounds. An open letter asking Correa to retract his decision has been signed by hundreds of intellectuals and activists across the world. On December 11 the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, CONAIE, received a notice … Continue reading Open letter to Rafael Correa: Stop the eviction of CONAIE
ENTITLE blog - a collaborative writing project on Political Ecology 