The tragedy of development: disputes over natural resources in Argentina

Abstract

This article deals with the problem of development based on the production of natural resources which in recent years has increased substantially i n Latin America. This is a trend which includes de case of Argentina where large petroleum, mining and agribusiness corporations have become some of the main economic actors of the country. What are t he consequences of this type of “development” when the main objetives of these corporations is to exploit these natural resources which on the whole were preserved in our countries of the “periphery” while they were depredated in the countries of the “centre”? More then 80% of the natural resources av ailable at present in the world for the future of humanity are localized in territories pertaining to peasant and indigenous communities and, in large measure, in Latin America. In this paper several ca se studies are considered: the expansion of mining, forestry related to the paper pulp industry and agr ibusiness. The condiciones in which these activitie s are expanded and the resistances and disputes deve loped by the populations that tend for the care of nature and the environment are considered. Finally, some reflexiones in which a critique of the concept of development based on techno-science and the activities of these large corporations as some of their fundamental supports is presented.