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‘Land defenders’ and the political ecology of coal power in Bangladesh

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posted on 2023-06-09, 22:38 authored by Paul GilbertPaul Gilbert, Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan
Recent contributions to ‘statistical political ecology’ have identified political and economic formations associated with the killing, criminalization and intimidation of land and environmental defenders - as well as characteristics of successful resistance movements in which defenders play a part. This chapter is concerned with the land defenders who have mobilized against resurgent coal power in Bangladesh over the last decade and a half. Many of these defenders have been subjected to violence within the context of conflicts and movements that fit emerging global patterns. However, an analysis of the political economy of coal power in Bangladesh reveals particular contradictions in the measures of ‘corruption’ and ‘rule of law’ that facilitate cross-national comparison of the contexts in which defenders face violence. This chapter concludes by highlighting the degree to which efforts to promote good governance and rule of law can facilitate the expansion of violent extractive operations that put land and environmental defenders at risk. It calls for greater attention to the ‘violence footprints’ of transnational corporations and donor agencies with whom the sovereign power of the Bangladeshi state is entangled.

Funding

‘Sustainable’ development and atmospheres of violence: experiences of environmental defenders; G2494; BRITISH ACADEMY; BA Ref:SDP2\100

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Publisher

Routledge

Pages

298.0

Book title

Environmental defenders: deadly struggles for life and territory

Place of publication

Abingdon, Oxon

ISBN

9780367649708

Series

Routledge explorations in environmental studies

Department affiliated with

  • Anthropology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Editors

Mary Menton, Philippe Le Billon

Legacy Posted Date

2021-01-06

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2023-01-17

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2021-01-06

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