Throughout the modern era, particularly with the development of new and innovative technologies, conflict has existed between the environment and those who inhabit it. With the advent of highly industrialised technology during the 20th century conflict has been on a steady increase as there are often dialectical processes involved between those creating technological innovations and those who become unwittingly involved in them. One environmental conflict called hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’ as it is commonly referred to, is a profitable industrial practice whereby natural gas is extracted from rock layers in the ground. Fracking is an environmental conflict arising from economic and political marginalisation based primarily on class divisions. This will be demonstrated first through describing fracking and how it is an environmental conflict, by explaining how fracking fits into a political and economic framework, and by finally outlining the cultural component, that is how marginalised socio-economic and ethnic groups are affected by the practice of fracking. Political ecology theory will be applied in order to gain an understanding of the complexities of fracking as this theory focuses on the mutual development of both political and ecological change. It is acknowledged that whilst applying a political ecology perspective is an effective anthropological method, it is also necessary to apply other anthropological theories in order to gain a more holistic analysis.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Fracking as an Environmental Conflict
2. Technical Process and Environmental Implications
3. Theoretical Premises of Political Ecology
4. Dynamics of Power, Control, and Resource Scarcity
5. Capitalist Ideology and World Systems Theory
6. Cultural Ramifications and Social Impacts
7. Summary and Limitations of the Political Ecology Perspective
8. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay explores hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") through the lens of political ecology to understand how macro-level political and economic structures influence micro-level environmental conflicts and social marginalization.
- The intersection of political ecology and environmental anthropology.
- Capitalist mechanisms and the commodification of natural resources.
- World systems theory and dependency dynamics between corporations and the public.
- The cultural and socio-economic consequences of land acquisition.
- Critique of political ecology as a standalone analytical tool.
Excerpt from the Book
Examining fracking from the perspective of political ecology
Throughout the modern era, particularly with the development of new and innovative technologies, conflict has existed between the environment and those who inhabit it. With the advent of highly industrialised technology during the 20th century conflict has been on a steady increase as there are often dialectical processes involved between those creating technological innovations and those who become unwittingly involved in them. One environmental conflict called hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’ as it is commonly referred to, is a profitable industrial practice whereby natural gas is extracted from rock layers in the ground. Fracking is an environmental conflict arising from economic and political marginalisation based primarily on class divisions. This will be demonstrated first through describing fracking and how it is an environmental conflict, by explaining how fracking fits into a political and economic framework, and by finally outlining the cultural component, that is how marginalised socio-economic and ethnic groups are affected by the practice of fracking. Political ecology theory will be applied in order to gain an understanding of the complexities of fracking as this theory focuses on the mutual development of both political and ecological change. It is acknowledged that whilst applying a political ecology perspective is an effective anthropological method, it is also necessary to apply other anthropological theories in order to gain a more holistic analysis.
Fracking, in the current context of horizontal drilling, as opposed to vertical drilling, is a relatively new technological innovation in mechanic engineering (Rapier, 2012, pp. 57-61). Through fracturing shale rock formations natural gas is able to be harvested in an economically efficient way. This means that in certain areas around the world there is a newly created abundance of untapped natural energy and simultaneously an economically viable and profitable market opening. The first action involved in fracking requires massive land acquisition as a starting step towards drilling (Mooney, 2011). Once this is achieved, foundations such as pipes, concrete casing, and wastewater ponds are set up. From there, sizable amounts of water, sand and chemicals are pumped underground in a horizontal direction and this fractures the shale rock and releases the natural gas for collection.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to Fracking as an Environmental Conflict: Provides an overview of the environmental tensions created by industrial technological developments, specifically framing fracking as a product of economic and political marginalization.
2. Technical Process and Environmental Implications: Details the mechanical process of horizontal drilling and discusses the resulting environmental risks, including water contamination and seismic activity.
3. Theoretical Premises of Political Ecology: Defines the core concepts of political ecology and its utility in examining the interaction between societies and their environments.
4. Dynamics of Power, Control, and Resource Scarcity: Analyzes how environmental conflicts emerge from unequal power distributions and the strategic acquisition of land rights.
5. Capitalist Ideology and World Systems Theory: Examines how multinational corporations and capitalist market motivations prioritize profit over public needs and ecological stability.
6. Cultural Ramifications and Social Impacts: Investigates the specific impacts on local communities, including subsistence changes and the unequal burden of health and resource risks.
7. Summary and Limitations of the Political Ecology Perspective: Recaps the main findings while acknowledging that a multi-theoretical approach is necessary for a comprehensive anthropological analysis.
8. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that political ecology effectively illuminates how macro-level power relations shape the local environmental setting.
Keywords
Political Ecology, Fracking, Environmental Conflict, Anthropological Method, Capitalism, Multinational Corporations, Resource Scarcity, World Systems Theory, Dependency Theory, Marginalization, Social Classes, Environmental Anthropology, Horizontal Drilling, Land Acquisition, Sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this essay?
The essay examines the environmental conflict surrounding hydraulic fracturing (fracking) through the specific theoretical lens of political ecology.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
Key themes include capitalist resource extraction, socio-economic marginalization, power dynamics between corporations and communities, and the environmental consequences of horizontal drilling.
What is the central research objective?
The aim is to demonstrate how political ecology can be used to understand the interconnectedness between large-scale political/economic forces and local cultural or environmental changes.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses political ecology as the primary anthropological framework while supplementing it with World Systems Theory and Dependency Theory to achieve a critical analysis.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body details the technical mechanics of fracking, the theoretical premise of political ecology, the influence of capitalism on resource management, and the varying cultural impacts on local populations.
Which keywords characterize this publication?
The most relevant keywords include Political Ecology, Fracking, Capitalism, Marginalization, and Environmental Anthropology.
How does the author define the conflict in fracking?
The conflict is defined not merely as a dispute over resource allocation, but as a clash between those who prioritize profit through capital accumulation and those whose land and health are endangered by the practice.
What role does the 'Karoo' case study play in the analysis?
The Karoo case serves to illustrate how the cultural conditions of a region—such as subsistence lifestyles vs. commercial farming—influence how different groups experience and oppose the risks posed by fracking.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Lee Hooper (Autor:in), 2013, Examining fracking from the perspective of political ecology, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/262251
