Power, political economy and environmental governance: staple chains as media of power

James Lawson

International Journal of Green Economics, 2009, vol. 3, issue 1, 28-47

Abstract: This paper critically compares radical and reformist global commodity chain analysis with two other traditions: Canadian staples analysis and the analysis of filieres. It considers what each can contribute to a critical analysis of essentially linear production and exchange complexes, particularly for the extraction and export of raw materials and semiprocessed goods. The article offers elements of a schematic model for such 'staple chains' and for the effective exercise of power through them. The article understands staple chains as media of power (Innis, [1930] 1970; 1936; 1954; McLuhan, [1964] 1965) and a problem of governance for environmentalists, fair-trade advocates and staple-chain stakeholders.

Keywords: media; power; staple chains; global commodity chains; staples; filieres; environmental governance; natural resources; political economy; green economics; raw materials; semi-processed goods; fair trade. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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