Extractive Industries Conflct

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

In recent years economists, political scientists and international development professionals have pointed to the relationship between extractive industries (oil, gas and mining) and violent conflict. Over the course of the past two centuries the link between extractive industries and violent conflict has been manifest. Labor unrest, community conflict, and warfare have all featured in the tremendous growth of the extractive sector. Today, many think of mines as violent places. What are the stories of violent conflict and the extractive industries? What are the underlying dynamics of these conflicts? What methods have been developed to help better manage and resolve these conflicts? This class draws on history, political science, development studies and conflict resolution to investigate the relationship between violent conflict and extractive industries.