Talk:Issues in Interdisciplinarity 2018-19/Imperialism in the 'War on Drugs'

Personal Contribution

I should admit that it is not an easy task to finish, but I do feel that every group member had tried our best to create an interesting chapter. I remembered we started quite early after the reading week and our seminar leader offered great help as well as suggestions to our final result. At the beginning, I proposed two research topics of Neo-imperialism which was also Caroline’s idea as a coincidence and imperialism reflected in the international aid. But then we all felt that the Eco-imperialism suggested by Wenyi is more novel, so we have worked on that one for about two weeks during which I contributed a lot to the introduction, literature review and also wrote three case studies. Unfortunately, this plan was given in for various reasons of conflicting definition. However, I still feel I have learned a lot about sociology through the process. For the final chapter, I was in charge of the “Western justification of coca eradication contrasting the indigenous view of coca as economically and culturally significant” and some parts in the Exploitation as well as the “War on Drugs” part. In this stage, many thanks to Julie for her patience and the suggestion for interdisciplinary contents and I also appreciate all my fellow members’ innovation and team spirit.(Lyu Muyao)--C lmy (discuss • contribs) 21:27, 9 December 2018 (UTC)

In this wikibook project, I have done a part of the introduction, written on the history of coca cultivation in bolivia and on the exploitations thatis part of the mechanics of imperialism in an interdisciplinary manner. I have also written the conclusion. Despite changing either our topic or case study many times, it was quite interesting to work on this topic Juliechea (discuss • contribs) 09:31, 10 December 2018 (UTC)

This wikibook chapter was an opportunity for me to work on a subject which I knew nothing about. The subject, American imperialism in the ‘Drugs War’, was really interesting. We started our work few weeks ago and tried then to find some case studies which could illustrate our subject well. We decided to choose the eradication of coca in Bolivia. The subject was interesting, and I have learned a lot about the ‘Drugs War’ in the United States and the consequences that it has on Bolivia. Writing this chapter was not easy because I should understand the subtleties of a subject in a very short time and then try to describe and explain it in a simple way. I was in charge of the ‘the American war on drugs’ part, the literature review and some parts in the exploitation on various scales. I appreciate my work partners who gave their best to finish this chapter, and I also want to thank them for the team spirit that we had. DVCaroline (discuss • contribs) 09:43, 10 December 2018 (UTC)

 INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITIONS 

0. Do you guys think we should take the disciplines one by one or look at it in a systems approach kind of way (consider the elements of the system of the unit of the analysis rather than considering each discipline one by one)

1. Referencing definitions 

Guys, can whoever wrote the definition for imperialism provide a citation? I've edited slightly for clarity but it still needs a ref. Thanks. Leewenyi (discuss • contribs) 07:19, 28 November 2018 (UTC)

--> That definition was a mix of many definitions, alongside with my own so it might be hard to give one link only, but I'll try to reference it properly. Juliechea (discuss • contribs) 08:50, 30 November 2018 (UTC)

2. '''Combining intro and contrasting definitions? '''

Also, there's now overlap between introduction and definitions. I'm not sure we can properly introduce the topic without defining our concepts, so it might be worthwhile to combine the two. Leewenyi (discuss • contribs) 07:39, 28 November 2018 (UTC)

--> I think that we can do that, it seems like everything would appear more clearly, this is a good idea! I think it should be ok not to follow the list that Eva gave us entirely Juliechea (discuss • contribs) 08:50, 30 November 2018 (UTC)

3. '''Which definition to use? '''

And given that Crosby specifically uses 'ecological imperialism' while Driessen uses 'eco-imperialism', we should pick one or the other for ourselves. Leewenyi (discuss • contribs) 07:46, 28 November 2018 (UTC)

--> I think that we can let go of Crosby's definition and stick to Eco-imperialism then because we're interested in development whereas the definition of Crosby concerns mainly Europe in the 900-1900s ( more historical), also since we talk mostly about America, Driessen's definition seems more fitting but we should find both nuance it, using our own defintion, and another one, from another author ( or 2 or 3) in order to make the literature review.Juliechea (discuss • contribs) 08:50, 30 November 2018 (UTC)

Just added some other definitions which I found interesting: Def: 1.Eco-imperialism is usually refers to the developed countries plunder the resources and environment of the developing countries, including pollution transfer and so on. The eco-imperialism is not only detrimental to the environment as well as the development of the developing countries, but also has responsibility for the global ecological crisis (Huang, 2013).

Def 2. Eco-Imperialism it seeks to impose developed world’s ideas of what is fair, good, and appropriate in matters of environmental policy (Zhang 2011).C lmy (discuss • contribs)

4. '''Editing the introduction '''I just edit some definition about the imperialism in the first part，because I feel it is too long， and it is not our focus C lmy (discuss • contribs)

--> Thanks, it's become more concise Juliechea (discuss • contribs) 08:50, 30 November 2018 (UTC)

--> I put it there for our reference so we can have some cited definitions of imperialism. For reference in case we want it again: Edward Said: "imperialism involved 'the practice, the theory and the attitudes of a dominating metropolitan center ruling a distant territory" (Edward W. Said. Culture and Imperialism. Vintage Publishers, 1994. p. 9.)///James Caporaso: "a state of inequality and dependence in interstate relations where both the inequality and dependence are maintained by exploitation" (Caporaso, J. "Methodological issues in the measurement of inequality, dependence, and exploitation." In S. J. Rosen & J. R. Kurth (eds.) Testing theories of economic imperialism, Toronto: Heath, 1974, pp. 87-114.) Leewenyi (discuss • contribs) 09:12, 28 November 2018 (UTC)

5. '''Phrasing modification ''' --> this sentence " Since the 1990s, the form of eco-imperialism taking place between the North (developed countries) and the South (developing countries) is more that of a relation of influence and power" may be a little ambiguous so if possible, it would be good to specify it. China, a developing country ( although it can be in the developed category to some extent) also does exerce eco-imperialism on weaker countries ( for exemple the case of mining in Ecuador) Juliechea (discuss • contribs) 20:43, 2 December 2018 (UTC)

--> Ok, I will try to specify it! --DVCaroline (discuss • contribs) 17:15, 4 December 2018 (UTC)

'''6. Do we need to change our main argument to focus only on the negative effect? C lmy (discuss''' • contribs) --> I think that it would be better for the majority of the case study to focus on the negative sides of eco-imperialism ( it is an issue after all) but that it is important to nuance it from an environmentalist perspective. Juliechea (discuss • contribs) 14:50, 8 December 2018 (UTC)

CASE STUDY

1. The Amazon case study We said earlier about not talking about regulatory leniency right (the point about the Amazon)? Are we still? Just making sure that we're all focusing on the same thing. Leewenyi (discuss • contribs) 11:37, 28 November 2018 (UTC) --> We can possibly cut it our because we have quite a few possible interesting case studies already, but we can discuss that Juliechea (discuss • contribs) 08:50, 30 November 2018 (UTC) It is interesting to see that the Amazon can also be a negatively-influenced case.https://journal.vpweb.com/upload/17._LimandShirleyarticle.pdfC lmy (discuss • contribs) And also the DDT is also a controversial topic in terms of Malaria. --C lmy (discuss • contribs) 22:33, 6 December 2018 (UTC)

2. Should we focus on 1 case study (specific) or use many (broadened scope)? Juliechea (discuss • contribs) 08:50, 30 November 2018 (UTC) I am not sure，bu it seems that other groups all used several case studies to support their claim. C lmy (discuss • contribs)

3. '''The parts that we erased but might still need: '''

Ecological imperialism as a concept was first introduced by Alfred Crosby to describe the process by which European settlers' introduction of foreign animals, plants and pathogens was largely responsible for their successful colonisation of other regions.

1. Modern eco-imperialism prevents Latin American countries from taking full control of their own resources to get rid of poverty.

-American prevention of Bolivian natural resource nationalisation? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_America%E2%80%93United_States_relations#Bolivia's_nationalization_of_natural_resources

https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/23/world/americas/bolivia-epitomizes-fight-for-natural-resources.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca_eradication\

-La Oroya: extreme health detriments but economic benefit for people in the area due to foreign establishment of copper & lead smelter -Oriente: health problems from 3 decades of oil drilling by Texaco

2. The imposing of 'Western' environmental ideology can be a double-edge sword for the development and well being of Latin America.

2.1 The eco-imperialists (include some NGOs like Greenpeace and etc) argue Brazil to adopt more sustainable way of development rather than exploit its natural resources in the Amazon. (Edit: controversial definition of EI, are we still using this?)

2.2 The advocacy of DDT for promoting the productivity neglects the pollution caused in the local habitat.

The comments made by Eva and our classmates
Historical definition --> Contemporary definition Make modifications of 2.1 ( specify and review) Review literature review - try not to make it repetitive specify "double edged sword" - cut right to the chase

Juliechea (discuss • contribs) 08:34, 30 November 2018 (UTC)

The case study in Columbia(replanting trees) Small community- access to the resources Indigenous population foreign ownership(factory)

C lmy (discuss • contribs)

Division of fascinating intellectual labour
Literary review - Everyone adds what they find for definitions and their controversies then we can go over it for the English consistency

Case study -

ARG 1

Draft + references ( 1) - Muyao, Julie

Going over the draft and correcting referencing - Caroline, Wen

ARG 2

Draft + references ( 2) - Wen, Caroline

Going over the draft and correcting referencing -Julie, Muyao

Controversies around the topic ( questions raised)? - should I even include such a part? I think it could make it interesting but we can vote Draft + references - Going over the draft and correcting referencing -

Conclusion - Wen and Julie

English consistency, grammar, spelling - Julie, then Wen ( because Wen is our native WOOHOO) Checking referencing validity and Vancouver style - Caroline, Muyao

--> this is Just a possible way to go about it, it's totally fine to signal any change you want to make, especially if there is something special you want to do. Juliechea (discuss • contribs) 20:33, 2 December 2018 (UTC)

--> I am happy with that, thanks! --DVCaroline (discuss • contribs) 17:15, 4 December 2018 (UTC)

Could anyone share with the group of the article mentioned today in the class(Who owes nature?)--C lmy (discuss • contribs) 22:14, 5 December 2018 (UTC)

Coca Eradication in the Andes: Lessons from Bolivia : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/104557501101244893 DVCaroline (discuss • contribs) 12:31, 7 December 2018 (UTC)