From extractivism to global extractivism: the evolution of an organizing concept

Research on extractivism has rapidly proliferated, expanding into new empirical and conceptual spaces. We examine the origins, evolution, and conceptual expansion of the concept. Extractivism is useful to analyze resource extraction practices around the world. 'Global Extractivism' is a new conceptual tool for assessing global phenomena. We situate extractivism within an ensemble of concepts, and explore its relation to development, the state, and value. Extractivism as an organizing concept addresses many fields of research. Extractivism forms a complex of self-reinforcing practices, mentalities, and power differentials underwriting and rationalizing socio-ecologically destructive modes of organizing life-through subjugation, depletion, and non-reciprocity.

Automated summary

This article explores the origins, evolution, and conceptual expansion of extractivism, emphasizing its significance in analyzing global resource extraction practices. It also situates extractivism within a larger framework of concepts and investigates its relationship with development, the state, and value. Extractivism, as an organizing concept, encompasses various research fields and represents a complex of self-reinforcing practices that justify and facilitate socio-ecologically destructive modes of organizing life through exploitation, depletion, and non-reciprocity.