Natural Resource Conflicts in Asia and the Pacific

Conflicts over natural resources are an enduring feature of social and political life at different scales and levels of organisation. The inter-state and geopolitical dimensions of conflicts over resources such as oil and water and marine resources loom large in the popular imaginary. Resource conflicts in the Asia-Pacific are predominantly intra-state, fought internally, within the boundaries of the nation-state, but often involving claims to various forms of ‘internal’ self-determination or secession (‘external’ self-determination). According to the United Nations, at least 40 per cent of internal conflicts globally are related to natural resources. Examining such conflicts in the Asia-Pacific region is the focus of this course. A striking conundrum lies at the heart of the inquiry: rather than contributing to peace and prosperity, empirical research demonstrates that natural resource wealth increases the likelihood of countries experiencing internal violent conflict. How and why is this the case? Is resource scarcity a driver of violent conflict in such contexts? What policy responses and interventions are available, and where secessionist demands become a factor, what solutions are available in terms of decentralisation or either ‘internal’ or ‘external’ self-determination? How might natural resource wealth contribute to peace rather than to conflict? What roles do political and economic contestation play in conflicts over land, sea, and natural resources? The course will be structured around a series of case studies drawn from Asia and the Pacific. In terms of theory, first, a political ecology framework will be applied to the analysis of differing natural resource conflicts, and second, a political/legal lens will aid analysis of ways that decentralisation or self-determination may prevent or resolve such conflict. Alongside these case studies, students will undertake their own analysis of a natural resource conflict in which they will be attentive to the role of different actors - especially the state, communities (including secessionist movements), and corporations - and to questions of scale, power and identity. The course will apply a research-led approach to teaching and learning. In addition to core expertise housed in the Department of Pacific Affairs (ANU), it draws upon expertise from other parts of the ANU. Such scholars will be involved in class room teaching, and course assessment will enable engagement with them in innovative ways.