Suchergebnisse

ABSTRACT Trans‐boundary highways have increasingly complemented trade agreements as instruments of global economic integration, and both have incurred political protest. This article presents a comparative analysis of two recently proposed trans‐boundary highway projects, the Trans‐Texas Corridor from Mexico through Texas to Oklahoma in the USA, and the Inter‐Oceanic Highway in the southwestern Amazon where Bolivia, Brazil and Peru meet. The analysis focuses on the similar political contexts, justifications and funding models, as well as the contrasting political responses and implementation outcomes. The findings reveal important differences in the two cases, even among their ostensibly similar aspects, which are necessary to provide an adequate explanation as to why social mobilization stopped one project but not the other. The analysis bears implications for the social‐political study of trans‐boundary infrastructure as an instrument of economic globalization.

This paper presents an empirical analysis that addresses recent work seeking 'win-win-win' scenarios for economic development, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. The analysis examines the impacts of agricultural product and income diversity on agricultural incomes and primary forest cover. The findings show that more diversified farms have higher agricultural incomes, but not significantly less forest cover. This finding is consistent with recent work in other study sites and suggests that initiatives promoting agricultural diversity can at least partially compatibilize production and conservation. (InWent/DÜI)

Objective. This article reviews changes in the social contexts of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon from the 1970s to the 1990s, moving from the household to the global level. Methods. I draw on satellite imagery, state publications, farm surveys, ethnographic field work, and policy analyses for a comparative analysis that shows how land cover, agriculture, demographics, politics, and markets have changed over time. Results. Alterations in the social contexts of deforestation appear on all levels considered, from household demographic evolution and new land use strategies to a regional demographic transition and the emergence of cattle and timber economies, to a "greening" of Brazilian development policy and changes in national land markets, to multilateral bank loans for new infrastructure and local‐international alliances between grassroots and environmental organizations. Conclusions. The social contexts of deforestation are very complex and changing and call for greater attention by social scientists to land cover and land use change.

This article reviews changes in the social contexts of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon from the 1970s to the 1990s, moving from the household to the global level. I draw on satellite imagery, state publications, farm surveys, ethnographic fieldwork, & policy analyses for a comparative analysis that shows how land cover, agriculture, demographics, politics, & markets have changed over time. Alterations in the social contexts of deforestation appear on all levels considered, from household demographic evolution & new land use strategies to a regional demographic transition & the emergence of cattle & timber economies, to a "greening" of Brazilian development policy & changes in national land markets, to multilateral bank loans for new infrastructure & local-international alliances between grassroots & environmental organizations. The social contexts of deforestation are very complex & constantly changing, thus requiring greater attention by social scientists to land cover & land use change. 2 Tables, 1 Figure, 61 References. Adapted from the source document.

Abstract This paper assesses arguments for the "productive conservation" thesis, which contends that family farming in tropical regions such as the Amazon can generate significant income and assets while maintaining forest cover. Data come from a 1996 survey of households in Uruará, a community along the Transamazon highway in Brazil. A descriptive analysis shows that households engaged in intensification, diversification, and forestry, proposed as important methods for forest conservation, and that they earned U.S.$1,600 from agricultural production and owned properties worth U.S.$16,500. A multivariate analysis shows that components of small farm systems associated with forest conservation made significant contributions to agricultural incomes and property values. I suggest that productive conservation requires community action which fosters ties with outside institutions while educating producers.