ABSTRACT
This chapter explores eco-resources and the greening of imperialism. The first section explains that the term ‘natural resource’ is a misnomer because resources are made by society not given to us by nature. It also shows how this happens. Building on this, the second section introduces a core–periphery model of the world and observes that resources tend to be made on peripheries. The third section moves on to resource taking, including implications for prosperity and development, concluding with a discussion of resource dispossession. The discussion to this point raises political economic questions which the fourth section answers by explaining how capitalism and geopolitics give rise to resource imperialism when they interweave. The fifth section extends this argument by exploring how action to solve environmental problems is leading to eco-resource imperialism. The final section argues for a different approach based on empowerment of people and communities locally, particularly through secure tenure in relation to resources, thus creating contexts within which stewardship of the planet becomes more likely.
