Ecological Imperialism and Capitalism

The disruption of the natural balance between humans and the environment caused by capitalist production.

The historical process by which capitalist societies accumulate wealth through violence, exploitation, and the seizure of resources, often from colonized regions.

The unequal distribution of wealth and resources between core (developed) and peripheral (underdeveloped) regions of the world, where the core benefits from exploiting the periphery.

The exploitation of resources and labor in colonized regions to generate wealth for capitalist nations, often through the establishment of cash crop monocultures.

The replacement of diverse ecosystems with single-crop plantations, often for export purposes, leading to environmental degradation and social consequences.

The use of force and violence to seize control of land and resources, often targeting indigenous populations, facilitating colonial expansion and resource extraction.

The extraction and transfer of wealth from colonized regions to capitalist nations, often involving the exploitation of natural resources and labor.

The exploitation of resources and labor in the East Indies, particularly the production of commodities like opium and salt, for the benefit of European powers.

The idea that developing countries rich in natural resources like oil, gas, or minerals are often worse off than those without such resources. Instead of benefiting from resource wealth, these countries tend to experience poverty, authoritarianism, corruption, and civil unrest.

A theory that explains the resource curse by arguing that powerful nations exploit resource-rich countries, often through military or political intervention, to control these valuable resources for their own benefit.

A pattern of political and economic instability, often fueled by corruption, that occurs in countries heavily reliant on the export of oil or other natural resources.

A term that describes the negative environmental and economic consequences for both rich and poor countries stemming from the global exploitation of resources, especially fossil fuels, which leads to climate change and ecological damage.

The concept that developed nations, who have historically benefited from the extensive use of natural resources (often at the expense of developing countries), have a moral obligation to address the environmental damage caused by their actions. It suggests developed countries should contribute financially and technologically to help developing countries mitigate climate change and its impact.

The process of promoting, or mobilizing, public awareness and action to address the issues related to environmental injustice and the exploitative nature of resource extraction, especially in developing countries.

The British press characterized Balmaceda as a 'dictator of the worst stripe' due to his progressive economic policies.

Britain's control over Chile's economy was so strong that it had a greater influence on Chile than even India at the time.

British control over Chilean nitrate exports put Germany at a disadvantage, as nitrates were crucial for explosives and fertilizers during the First World War.

The Haber process developed by German chemist Fritz Haber allowed the production of nitrates from the air. This dealt a major blow to the value of Chilean nitrates.

Although the curse of nitrates was originally linked to Chile, the use of nitrogen fertilizers on an ever-increasing scale is currently polluting the world's water sources.

The history of oppressive resource control in Chilean nitrates mirrors the current challenges of oil resource control, highlighting the potential for exploitation and conflict.

Chilean nitrate's importance declined dramatically after Haber's invention, causing a severe crisis within Chile's economy.

The British sought to maintain control over Chile's economy, particularly the nitrate trade, due to its importance in international trade and the control of vital war resources.

A campaign advocating that developed nations owe a debt to developing nations due to the historical and ongoing environmental damage caused by their industrialization.

The withdrawal of the United States from the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A coalition representing major corporations that opposed the Kyoto Protocol, arguing that it would hinder economic growth and raise energy costs.

A strategy to address climate change by relying on future technological advancements to reduce emissions rather than immediate action.

The argument that climate change, while a problem, poses no immediate threat to the United States, justifying inaction despite the growing impact on vulnerable nations.

The assertion that the US's policy of delaying action on climate change is a form of ecological imperialism, benefiting from the continued exploitation of developing nations' resources.

Nations facing the most immediate and severe consequences of climate change, such as rising sea levels, due to their geographical location.

Refers to the interconnected global system where nations rely on each other for goods and services. This can exacerbate the issue of ecological debt, as developed nations often benefit from exploiting the resources of developing countries.

Economic systems like Capitalism, where the focus is on endless growth and profit, can have a negative impact on the environment due to the overconsumption and exploitation of resources.

The disruption of the natural cycles of nature, particularly the flow of nutrients, caused by capitalist production, leading to environmental degradation.

The concept that the way humans interact with nature is fundamentally shaped by the social and economic structures of society, particularly the capitalist mode of production.

The process by which capitalist societies extract and accumulate wealth through the exploitation of natural resources and labor, often through violent means like colonization.

The view that the private ownership of land is fundamentally unsustainable in the long term, as it undermines the need to protect resources for future generations.

The need to organize human economic activity in a way that ensures the sustainable use of resources, meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations.

The idea that capitalism, driven by profit accumulation, inherently disrupts the natural balance between humans and the environment, leading to ecological problems and societal inequality.

The recognition that a revolutionary transformation of society is needed to address the interconnected problems of environmental degradation, social inequality, and imperialism.