Jacob Dearing
October 11th, 2015
Critical Abstract #8
Article author: Jim Igoe and Dan Brockington
Article title: Neoliberal Conservation
In the examination of neoliberal conservation, evidence is in short supply as the conversation is debating a theoretical system. Jim Igoe and Dan Brockington crafted this article to display the ideas of neoliberalism and how their practice in the real world has had unexpected results. Global neoliberalism, according to the article, is, “the restructuring of the world to facilitate the spread of free-markets” and free markets are the goal of neoliberalism as they represent a deregulated economic system of buy, sell, and trade between merchant and consumer. Neoliberal conservation is built upon the same free-market foundation except it promotes “green business practices”.
The authors call attention to the fact that this form of a restructured economic system of conservation sounds beneficial to everyone whom participates but this is only in theory. The attraction of neoliberalism is that it provides, “simple solutions to complex problems” which is often an indicator of unforeseen issues. One of the main issues that the authors’ note stem directly from the premise of neoliberalism itself, which is the deregulation, or reregulation of the state structure will automatically benefit the environment. The idea is that over regulation has slowed conservation projects yet Igoe and Brockington show that, “state sponsored protected areas proliferated on a global scale”. Furthermore, large NGOs have raised concerns as they receive funding from major corporations whom may have influence as they maintain their own special interests.
The authors examine these two real world examples because they implicate the potential flaws behind neoliberalism. The argument is not against neoliberalism but is for its continued evaluation.