Pardee Research Seminar: Klinger on Amazonian Research
Julie Klinger, Assistant Professor of International Relations at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, gave a talk as part of the Pardee School Research Seminar Series on November 14, 2017.
The presentation, entitled “Brave New Worlds in Amazonian Research,” focused on her research collaboration with the Yanomami, a linguistic family of approximately 30,000 people in Brazil and Venezuela.
Klinger discussed the central claims of her research — that indigenous territorial governance is fundamental to national economic security, regional geopolitical stability and global climate change adaptation and mitigation; that indigenous territorial governance has been undermined by 500 years of dispossession and genocide; and that indigenous-led experiments with new technologies, political institutions, and economic initiatives are the means through which indigenous territorial governance is exercised and recognized.
The presentation also highlighted several issues currently facing the Yanomami including economic and political vulnerability, social and environmental violence caused by illegal mining, and climate change uncertainties. According to Klinger, the Yanomami are addressing these issues through experiments with capitalism including the community-run ecotourism project, Yaripo; partnerships with the military, NGOs, government ministries, and Google Earth to map their territories; and by pursuing educational partnerships.
Julie Klinger specializes in development, environment, and security politics in Latin America and China in comparative and global perspective. She is currently completing a book project on the global geography of rare earth prospecting and mining, with a special emphasis on the development and geopolitics of resource frontiers in Brazil, China, and Outer Space.
The Pardee School Research Seminar Series is a forum for faculty and students to discuss and receive feedback on ongoing research. The series is a mix of presentations, works-in-progress sessions, and research workshops. Faculty and students based at BU and elsewhere are invited to present and attend the Research Seminar Series. Anyone interested in presenting should send an e-mail with name, affiliation, and a presentation description, with “Pardee Seminar” in the subject line, to: Mahesh Karra or Jayita Sarkar.