Environmental Security In The Global Capitalist System: A World-systems Approach And Study Of Panama
Keywords
Environmental politics, policy, security, indigenous, world-system, Panama, environmental security, capitalism
Abstract
The current global capitalist system is at odds with environmental protection and the protection of indigenous people that are directly linked to the land on which they live. In environmental security literature, many have argued that, theoretically and functionally, it is possible to link national security with environmental security. However possible this may be on paper, in practice, the global capitalist system prevents this from becoming a reality. Using a world-systems approach, this thesis will show that core countries seeking to expand capital by tapping into new markets, locating new sources of raw materials and even forming strategic military partnerships in periphery countries unavoidably degrade the natural environment and thus, adversely affect the lives and health of indigenous people. It is also the argument in this paper that the primary purpose of strategic military partnerships with periphery states, such as those formed in Panama and Colombia, are primarily meant to protect economic interests, thus perpetuating the capitalist cycle. The end result is that, while it is theoretically possible, through a different theoretical lens, to bridge the definitional and theoretical gulf between national security and environmental security, the reality of the system subverts this endeavor, and will continue to do so under its current configuration.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2007
Semester
Fall
Advisor
Jacques, Peter
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Political Science
Degree Program
Political Science
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0001981
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0001981
Language
English
Release Date
December 2007
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Masters Thesis (Open Access)
STARS Citation
Freeman, Mark Allen, "Environmental Security In The Global Capitalist System: A World-systems Approach And Study Of Panama" (2007). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3164.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/3164