Connecting Theoretical Perspectives and Forest Loss

Flashcards covering theoretical perspectives on forest loss, including Ecological Modernization Theory, Ecologically Unequal Exchange Theory, and Peter Evans's Dependent Development, along with examples from Indonesia and Malaysia, and conclusions on integrating theories.

What is the primary emphasis of Ecological Modernization Theory?

It emphasizes governments and the internal characteristics of nations as reasons for environmental outcomes (e.g., the inverted U-shaped environmental curve).

What is the primary emphasis of Ecologically Unequal Exchange Theory?

It emphasizes exports from low- and middle-income nations to high-income nations, focusing on external characteristics of nations.

What critique did Peter Evans raise regarding existing theories of development and environmental impact?

He argued that there was little or no attention to the interaction between the internal and external characteristics of nations, suggesting a need to combine ideas from both perspectives.

According to Peter Evans and Dependent Development, what is the biggest argument regarding repressive nations?

Repressive nations create a 'good business climate' for foreign investors.

What are some components of a 'good business climate' created for foreign investors?

Economic incentives (like tax holidays), regulatory concessions (like exemptions to environmental laws), and imposed political stability (like outlawing strikes, protests, and unions, or forced relocation).

How do economic incentives contribute to increased forest loss?

Economic incentives decrease the amount of money available for conservation.

How do regulatory concessions contribute to increased forest loss?

Regulatory concessions lead to an increase in natural resource exports.

What was an example of incentives and concessions given during Suharto's rule in Indonesia that led to forest loss?

Westinghouse and Georgia Pacific received a 15-year waiver on export duties, and replanting was allowed after 35 rather than 20 years for companies.

What was the annual forest loss in Indonesia under Suharto due to such incentives and concessions?

Forest loss was 1.6 million hectares annually, an area the size of Connecticut.

How did the Penan people in Malaysia attempt to protect their forests?

They mobilized logging blockades and sabotaged logging equipment.

How did the Malaysian government respond to the Penan's resistance against logging?

The government repressed the dissent through press censorship, crackdowns on protests, and arresting Penan leaders.

According to London and Smith, why is it necessary to combine modernization and political-economy theories in social science research?

These allegedly antithetical approaches are related to each other in a specifiable and meaningful manner, and eliminating theoretical 'blinders' is necessary.

What do London and Williams conclude about the interaction between intranational-political and international-economic dynamics?

These dynamics are so interwoven in the modern capitalist system that any analysis failing to specify how both sets of factors interact is seriously deficient and offers at best a partial explanation.