Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Resource Wealth, Power, Crime, and Conflict

  • Chapter
Emerging Issues in Green Criminology

Part of the book series: Critical Criminological Perspectives ((CCRP))

Abstract

The global flow of capital and competitive trading across borders has been accompanied by the weakening of the ability of regulators and sovereign countries to monitor and restrict harmful activities of multinational corporations. Multinationals often exert a disproportionately large amount of influence over the regulatory agencies that are charged with regulating them - a condition referred to as ‘regulatory capture’ (see Stigler, 1971 in Borak, 2011) - and they have increasingly taken advantage of these globalising circumstances to lower environmental standards and to collude in violation of the rights of inhabitants of threatened locations (human and nonhuman) and of activists seeking to protect the environment (see, for example, Boelens et al., 2011; Clark, 2009; Global Witness, 2012; Newell, 2001; Williams, 1996).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, T. (2011) ‘How the teachers of hope I met in the Congo were brutally killed’, The Observer, 16 October. Accessed at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/16/teachers-of-hope-in-congo-brutally-killed.

  • Agnew, R. (2013) ‘The ordinary acts that contribute to ecocide: a criminological analysis’, in N. South and A. Brisman (eds) The Routledge International Handbook of Green Criminology. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Associated Press (2012) ‘Thousands stay away from Angolan elections’, National Public Radio (NPR) Broadcast, 31 August. Accessed at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyld=160366826.

  • Auty, R. M. (1993) Sustaining Development in Mineral Economies: The Resource Curse Thesis. London: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Auty, R. M. and Mikesell, R. P. (1998) Sustainable Development in Mineral Economies. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • BBC (2012a) ‘Liberia’ rainforest: ‘60 percent handed to logging companies’, BBC News Africa, 4 September. Accessed at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-194695 71.

  • BBC (2012b) ‘Shell urged to pay Nigeria $5bn over Bonga oil spill’, BBC News Africa, 17 July. Accessed at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18875731.

  • Bichsel, C. (2011) ‘Liquid challenges. Contested water in Central Asia’, Sustainable Development Law and Policy. XII(1): 24–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boelens, R., Bueno de Mesquita, M., Gaybor, A. and Peña, P. (2011) ‘Threats to a sustainable future: water accumulation and conflict in Latin America’, Sustainable Development Law and Policy. 12(1): 41–45, 67–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borak, M. (2011) ‘Weak planning process frustrates protection of Puerto Rico’s threatened coastline’, Sustainable Development Law and Policy, 12(1): 23, 51, 58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braithwaite, J. (2002) Justice and Responsive Regulation. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brisman, A. (2005) ‘The aesthetics of wind energy systems’, New York University Environmental Law Journal, 13(1): 1–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brisman, A. (2008) ‘Crime-environment relationships and environmental justice’, Seattle Journal for Social Justice, 6(2): 727–817.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brisman, A. (2012) ‘The cultural silence of climate change contrarianism’, in R. White (ed.) Climate Change from a Criminological Perspective. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brisman, A. (Forthcoming [summer 2013]) ‘Environmental and human rights: land, property and crime’, in G. Bruinsma and D. Weisburd (eds) Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice. New York: Springer Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnley, C. (2011) Natural resources conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a question of governance’, Sustainable Development Law and Policy, 12(1): 7–11, 52–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, Richard D. (2009) ‘Environmental disputes and human rights violations: a role for Criminologists’, Contemporary Justice Review, 12: 129–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S. and Seu, B. I. (2002) ‘Knowing enough not to feel much: emotional thinking about human rights appeals’, in M. Bradley and P. Pedro (eds) Truth Claims: Representation and Human Rights. Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Soysa, I. (2000) ‘The resource curse: are civil wars driven by rapacity or paucity?’ In M. Berdal and D. M. Male (eds) Greed an Grievance: Economic Agendas in Civil Wars. Boulder, CO: Lynne Reinner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Draper, R. (2011) ‘Rift in paradise’, National Geographic, November: 82–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duffield, C. (2010) ‘Who are Nigeria’s mend oil militants?’ BBC News Africa, 4 October. Accessed at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11467394.

  • Ettinger, J. (2011) ‘Vegan mock meats: to eat or not to eat’, Organic Authority. Accessed at: http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/vegan-fake-meat-should-you-or-shouldnt-you.html#s.abowoczbaayaa. Accessed on 2 April 2013.

  • Folger, T. (2011) ‘Rare earths: they’re the secret (Chinese) ingredients of (almost) everything high-tech’, National Geographic, June: 136–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford, T. (2012) ‘Liberia’s failed logging promises’, BBC News Africa, 4 September. Accessed at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19469570.

  • Fuller, A. (2011) ‘Africa’s super park’, National Geographic, June: 60–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fussey, P. and South, N. (2012) ‘Heading toward a new criminogenic climate: climate change, political economy and environmental security’, in R. White (ed.) Climate Change from a Criminological Perspective. New York: Springer Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Global Witness (2012) Signing Their Lives Away: Liberia’s Private Use Permits and the Destruction of Community-Owned Rainforest, September. Accessed at: http: //www.globalwitness.org/sites/default/files/library/Signingpercent20theirperce nt20Livespercent20awaypercent20-percent20Liberianpercent20Privatepercent 20Usepercent20Permitspercent20-percent204percent20Septpercent202012_0. pdf. Accessed on 5 September 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann, B. (1999) ‘Population, environment and security: a new trinity’, in J. Silliman and and Y. King (eds) Dangerous Intersections: Feminism, Population and the Environment. London: Zed Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch, A. and Vidal, J. (2012) ‘Shell spending millions of dollars on security in Nigeria, leaked data shows’, The Guardian (UK), 19 August. Accessed at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/aug/ 19/shell-spending-security-nigerialeak.

  • Huisman, W. (2010) Business as Usual? Corporate Involvement in International Crimes. The Hague, NL: Eleven International Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keenan, J. (2009) The Dark Sahara: America’s War on Terror in Africa. London: Pluto Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemmis, D. and McKinney, M. (2011) ‘Collaboration and the ecology of democracy’, Sustainable Development Law and Policy, 12(1): 46–50, 69–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krugman, P. (2010) ‘Rare and foolish’, The New York Times, 18 October: A35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuijpers, K. (2012) ‘The ambiguous effects of coltan mining in the Kivus’, in M. Ganzinga, R. de Haan and K. Kuijpers (eds) The Commodity Chain of Coltan from the Democratic Republic of Congo, unpublished Criminological Journal, Utrecht University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Billon, P. (2011) ‘Bankrupting peace spoilers: what role for UN peacekeepers?’ Sustainable Development Law and Policy, 12(1): 13–17, 54–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lujala, P. and Rustad, S. A. (2011) ‘High-value natural resources: a blessing or a curse for peace?’ Sustainable Development Law and Policy, 12(1): 19–22, 56–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lusaka Times/Times of Zambia (2012) Zambia to Introduce Policy Measure to Stop Foreign Companies Externalising All Their Earnings-Chikwanda, 27 June. Accessed at: http://www.lusakatimes.com/2012/06/27/zambia-introduce-policy-measure- stop-foreign-companies-externalising-earningschikwanda/.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, M., Burns, R. and Stretesky, P. (2010) ‘Global warming and state-corporate crime: the politicization of global warming under the Bush Administration’, Crime, Law and Social Change, 54: 213–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mathiason, N. (2011) ‘Human rights abuses? Blame the parents’, The Guardian, Poverty Matters Blog, 9 December. Accessed at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/dec/09/human-rights-abuses-blame-parents.

  • McVeigh, T. (2011) ‘Blood diamond “betrayal” helps Mugabe fund new election terror’, The Observer, 18 December: 22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montague, D. (2002) ‘Stolen goods: coltan and conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo’, SAIS Review, 22(1): 103–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muffett, C. and Bruch, C. (2011) ‘Introductory comments: the pervasive, persistent, and profound links between conflict and the environment’, Sustainable Development Law and Policy. 12(1): 4–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nepstad, D. C., Stickler, C. M. and Almeida, O. T. (2006) ‘Globalization of the Amazon soy and beef industries: opportunities for conservation’, Conservation Biology, 20(6) [December]: 1595–1603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newell, P. (2001) ‘Managing multinationals: the governance of investment for the environment’. Journal of International Development, 13: 907.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, D. (2012) ‘Dept. of invention: the artificial leaf’, The New Yorker, 14 May: 68, 70–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Owolabi, T. (2012) Oil Spill Stretches for Miles by Exxon Nigeria field, Reuters, 1 September. Accessed at: http://news.yahoo.com/oil-spill-stretches-miles-exx-on-nigeria-field-081809554. html.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perks, R. and Vlassenroot, K. (2010) ‘From discourse to practice: a sharper perspective on the relationship between minerals and violence in DR Congo’, in J. Cuvelier (ed.) The Complexity of Resource Governance in a Context of State Fragility: The Case of Eastern DRC. London: International Alert. Accessed at: http://www.international-alert.org/resources/publications/complexity-resource-governance-context-state-fragility-case-eastern-drc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, L., Lininger, J. C., Bergoffen, M., Snape, B. and Bradley, C. (2011) ‘Natural resource “conflicts” in the U.S. southwest: a story of hype over substance’, Sustainable Development Law and Policy, 12(1): 32–35, 61–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polgreen, L. (2008) ‘CoNGOs riches, looted by Renegade troops’, The New York Times, 16 November: 1, 14–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Risen, J. (2010) ‘World’s mining companies covet Afghan riches’, The New York Times, 18 June: A4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, M. (2003a) ‘The natural resource curse: how wealth can make you poor’, in I. Bannon and P. Collier (eds) Natural Resources and Violent Conflict: Options and Actions. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, M. (2003b) Natural Resources and Civil War: An Overview, World Bank. Accessed at: http://www.unepfi.org/fileadmin/documents/conflict/ross_2003.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, M. (2004) ‘What do we know about natural resources and civil war?’ Journal of Peace Research, 41(3) [May]: 337–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross, W. (2012) ‘Nigeria’s booming illegal oil refineries’, BBC News Africa, 26 July. Accessed at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18973637.

  • Shover, N. and Routhe, N. (2005) ‘Environmental crime’, in M. Tonry (ed.) Crime and Justice: A Review of Research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • South, N. (1998) ‘A green field for criminology? A proposal for a perspective’, Theoretical Criminology, 2: 211–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • South, N. (2012) ‘Climate change, environmental (in)security, conflict and crime’, in S. Farrall, D. French and T. Ahmed (eds) Climate Change: Legal and Criminological Implications. Oxford: Hart.

    Google Scholar 

  • South, N. and Brisman, A. (2013) ‘Critical green criminology, rights and crimes of exploitation’, in S. Winlow and R. Atkinson (eds) New Directions in Crime and Deviance, pp. 99–110. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, J. (2011) Corporate War Crimes: Prosecuting Pillage of Natural Resources. New York: Open Society Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stigler, G. J. (1971) ‘The theory of economic regulation’, The Bell Journal of Economics and Management Science, 2(1): 3–21. Accessed at: http://web.missouri.edu/-podgurskym/Econ_4345/syl_articles/Stigler_The TheorvOfEconomicRegulation.pdf.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sweeney, J. (2012) ‘Mining giant in child labour and acid dumping claims’, The Observer, 15 April: 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations (2002) Interim Report of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, United Nations Document S/2002/565/22, 1–19 May. Accessed at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/3d0471ad4.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weatherford, K. (2011) ‘The real cost of China’s rare Earth export quotas on American job security’. Sustainable Development Law and Policy. 12(1): 18, 55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weston, Burns H. (2012) ‘The theoretical foundations of intergenerational ecological justice: an overview’, Human Rights Quarterly, 34(1): 251–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wenar, L. (2008) ‘Property rights and the resource curse’, Philosophy and Public Affairs, 36(1): 2–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, C. (1996) ‘An environmental victimology’. Social Justice, 23: 16–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeager, P. (1987) ‘Structural bias in regulatory law enforcement: the case of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’, Social Problems, 34: 330–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Avi Brisman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nigel South
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Research for the Faculty of Law at Queensland, University of Technology, Australia

    Reece Walters (Assistant Dean) (Assistant Dean)

  2. Independent Scholar, Australia

    Diane Solomon Westerhuis

  3. Northumbria University, UK

    Tanya Wyatt (Senior Lecturer in Criminology) (Senior Lecturer in Criminology)

Copyright information

© 2013 Avi Brisman and Nigel South

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Brisman, A., South, N. (2013). Resource Wealth, Power, Crime, and Conflict. In: Walters, R., Westerhuis, D.S., Wyatt, T. (eds) Emerging Issues in Green Criminology. Critical Criminological Perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137273994_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation