A review of the social impacts of neoliberal conservation: Formations, inequalities, contestations. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holmes, George; Cavanagh, Connor J.
• Is Part Of: Geoforum. Volume 75(2016)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Neoliberalism -- Conservation -- Social impacts -- Political ecology -- Protected areas; Geography -- Periodicals; Human geography -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Periodicals; Sciences de la terre -- Périodiques; Géographie -- Périodiques; Géographie humaine -- Périodiques; Aménagement du territoire -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geography; Human geography; Regional planning; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 304.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.07.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-7185

Abstract

Highlights: Paper presents the first review of social impacts of neoliberal conservation projects. Review finds neoliberal conservation involves novel forms of power. Neoliberal conservation seeks to reshape whole livelihoods and subjectivities. Image and spectacle central in shaping impacts, provide openings for contestation. Distribution of social impacts shaped by interaction with pre-existing inequalities. Abstract: In recent years, perhaps the two most prominent debates in geography on issues of biodiversity conservation have hinged upon, firstly, the positive and negative social impacts of conservation projects on human populations, and, secondly, the apparent neoliberalisation of conservation. Yet so far there have been few explicit linkages drawn between these debates. This paper moves both debates forward by presenting the first review of how the neoliberalisation of conservation has affected the kinds of impacts that conservation projects entail for local communities. It finds that, whilst there are important variegations within neoliberal conservation, processes of neoliberalisation nevertheless tend to produce certain recurring trends in their social impacts. Firstly, neoliberal conservation often involves novel forms of power, particularly those that seek to re-shape local subjectivities in accordance with both conservationist and neoliberal-economic values. Secondly, it relies on greater use of use of representation and spectacle to produce commodities and access related markets, which can both create greater negative social impacts and offer new opportunities for local people to contest and reshape conservation projects. Thirdly, neoliberal conservation projects frequently widen the distribution of social impacts by interacting with pre-existing social, economic, and political inequalities. Accordingly, the paper illuminates how neoliberal approaches to conservation generate novel opportunities and constraints for struggles toward more socially and environmentally just forms of biodiversity preservation.