The dawn of environmental justice? The record of left and socialist governance in Central and South America

Bell, K. (2017) The dawn of environmental justice? The record of left and socialist governance in Central and South America. In: Holifield, R., Chakraborty, J. and Walker, G. (eds.) The Routledge Handbook of Environmental Justice. Series: Routledge handbooks. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY, pp. 543-555. ISBN 9781138932821 (doi: 10.4324/9781315678986-43)

Abstract

Environmental justice embraces the concept and movement for a healthy and safe environment; equal access to environmental resources alongside avoidance of environmental harms; and meaningful participation in environmental decision-making. Central and South American citizens, more than those of any other continent, have increasingly elected left wing and socialist governments over the last twenty years. This chapter considers whether, under these governments, environmental justice has been enhanced or whether it remains more of a rallying cry than a reality. This surge of left-wing governance is a distinctive feature of the region and it seems that the approach to environmental justice issues may provide a model for achieving environmental justice elsewhere. The chapter discusses the tensions that exist between the ideals professed and their practical implementation and the extent to which the successes and failures might be attributable to capitalism's presence or absence.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bell, Dr Karen
• Authors: Bell, K.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Publisher: Routledge
• ISBN: 9781138932821
• Published Online: 29 September 2017