International Financial Institutions and the Discourse of Sustainable Development: How the discourse of 'sustainable development' shapes (environmental) improvement schemes and Indigenous Resistance.

Currently, environmental management initiatives influenced by the discourse of sustainable development are often insufficient and unsuccessful. Improvement schemes and conservation initiatives often have negative environmental and socio-economic consequences, leading to all kinds of resistance. The present study was designed to determine how the influence of international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund is affecting (environmental) improvement schemes and shaping indigenous responses. This thesis is an essay in which I have put revised literature into conversation with each other. This study has found that the currently most dominant way of conceptualizing environmental matter – the discourse of sustainable development – is a persuasive slogan that disguises the capitalist end goals and neoliberal aspirations. Neoliberal environmental management, is not everything it promises to be and seems to be the rotten apple, spoiling true...Show moreCurrently, environmental management initiatives influenced by the discourse of sustainable development are often insufficient and unsuccessful. Improvement schemes and conservation initiatives often have negative environmental and socio-economic consequences, leading to all kinds of resistance. The present study was designed to determine how the influence of international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund is affecting (environmental) improvement schemes and shaping indigenous responses. This thesis is an essay in which I have put revised literature into conversation with each other. This study has found that the currently most dominant way of conceptualizing environmental matter – the discourse of sustainable development – is a persuasive slogan that disguises the capitalist end goals and neoliberal aspirations. Neoliberal environmental management, is not everything it promises to be and seems to be the rotten apple, spoiling true sustainability. Such environmental management in the name of development, accompanied by (unwanted) environmental and social impacts, leads to three kinds of responses: adaptation, resistance and protest.Show less

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International Financial Institutions and the Discourse of Sustainable Development: How the discourse of 'sustainable development' shapes (environmental) improvement schemes and Indigenous Resistance.