Geopolitics of natural ressources

ldvlp2325  2023-2024  Louvain-la-Neuve

Geopolitics of natural ressources
5.00 credits
30.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Hinojosa Valencia Leonith (compensates Legrand Vincent); Legrand Vincent;
Language
French
Main themes
This part of the course aims to examine the role that social, economic, political and cultural factors play in the geopolitics of natural resources and development and is organized in two sections. Drawing on concepts from Political Ecology, Ecological Economics and Development Studies, the first section provides the foundations to understand the main topics that explain the geopolitics of natural resources and its implications for sustainable development. The interplay of these topics is illustrated by a review of socio-environmental conflicts observed in and development strategies pursued by low and medium-income countries. The second section analyses the developmental possibilities, risks and threats arising out of the current distribution and management of natural resources, notably land and water, in relation to food security and sustainable agriculture. This section discusses the policy and institutional options that countries from the Global South can pursue in order to influence the global governance of natural resources.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 After completing this part of the course students will:
  • Be knowledgeable of the main concepts of Political Ecology, Ecological Economics and Development Studies that underpin the geopolitics of natural resources.
  • Be able to critically discuss the relationship between the access, distribution and control of natural resources and development outcomes from an inter-disciplinary perspective.
  • Be able to analyse natural resources policy with focus on land and water.
In addition to developing analytical skills, students are expected to strengthen their capacity for team work, essay-writing and oral presentation by integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines and approaches to development.
 
Bibliography
Portefeuille de lectures, liens vers ressources électroniques et vidéo et présentations PowerPoint de l’enseignante mis à disposition des étudiants en ligne sur Moodle.
Lectures obligatoires :
* Ali Douai, Gaël Plumecocq (2017). L'économie écologique. Paris : La Découverte.
* Alternatives Economiques. Dossier septembre 2022 No. 426, pp. 27-32
* Bebbington A.; Hinojosa L.; Bebbington D.; Burneo M.L. and Warnaars X. (2008) Contention and ambiguity: mining and the possibilities of development. Development and Change, 39(6): 965'992. Texte aussi disponible en français sur Moodle.
* Blanchon, D. (2019). Géopolitique de l’eau: Entre conflits et coopérations. Paris: Le Cavalier Bleu. https://doi.org/10.3917/lcb.blanc.2019.01
* Coalition eau (2014) Eau et changement climatique : note de recherche. Montreuil. https://www.coalition-eau.org/wp-content/uploads/Etude-Eau-et-Climat-Coalition-Eau1.pdf
* FAO, FIDA, OMS, PAM et UNICEF. (2017) L’État de la sécurité alimentaire et de la nutrition dans le monde 2017. Renforcer la résilience pour favoriser la paix et la sécurité alimentaire. Rome, FAO.
* Le Billon, P. (2004). The Geopolitical Economy of 'Resource Wars.' Geopolitics 9(1): 1 ' 28
* Lasserre, F., Gonon E. & Mottet É. (2016). Manuel de géopolitique: Enjeux de pouvoir sur des territoires . Paris: Armand Colin. https://www.cairn.info/manuel-de-geopolitique--9782200628086.htm
* Pahl-Wostl C. (2017). Governance of the water-energy-food security nexus: A multi-level coordination challenge. Environmental Science & Policy.
Matériel visuel
* EJOLT ' Environmental Justice Organisations, Liabilities and Trade. Atlas of Environmental Justice. http://www.ejolt.org/maps/
Teaching materials
  • Portefeuilles de lectures, liens vers ressources électroniques et vidéo et présentations PowerPoint de la enseignante mis à disposition des étudiants en ligne sur Moodle.
Faculty or entity
PSAD


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Anthropology

Minor in Development and Environment

Master [120] in Sociology

Master [120] in Population and Development Studies

Master [120] in Public Administration

Master [120] in Geography : General