Conflicts over natural resources are an enduring feature of social and political life at different scales and levels of organisation. The inter-state and geopolitical dimensions of conflicts over resources such as oil and water and marine resources loom large in the popular imaginary. Resource conflicts in the Asia-Pacific are predominantly intra-state, fought internally, within the boundaries of the nation-state, but often involving claims to various forms of ‘internal’ self-determination or secession (‘external’ self-determination). According to the United Nations, at least 40 per cent of internal conflicts globally are related to natural resources. Examining such conflicts in the Asia-Pacific region is the focus of this course.
A striking conundrum lies at the heart of the inquiry: rather than contributing to peace and prosperity, empirical research demonstrates that natural resource wealth increases the likelihood of countries experiencing internal violent conflict. How and why is this the case? Is resource scarcity a driver of violent conflict in such contexts? What policy responses and interventions are available, and where secessionist demands become a factor, what solutions are available in terms of decentralisation or either ‘internal’ or ‘external’ self-determination? How might natural resource wealth contribute to peace rather than to conflict? What roles do political and economic contestation play in conflicts over land, sea, and natural resources?
The course will be structured around a series of case studies drawn from Asia and the Pacific. In terms of theory, first, a political ecology framework will be applied to the analysis of differing natural resource conflicts, and second, a political/legal lens will aid analysis of ways that decentralisation or self-determination may prevent or resolve such conflict. Alongside these case studies, students will undertake their own analysis of a natural resource conflict in which they will be attentive to the role of different actors - especially the state, communities (including secessionist movements), and corporations - and to questions of scale, power and identity.
The course will apply a research-led approach to teaching and learning. In addition to core expertise housed in the Department of Pacific Affairs (ANU), it draws upon expertise from other parts of the ANU. Such scholars will be involved in class room teaching, and course assessment will enable engagement with them in innovative ways.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity and complexity of perspectives on natural resource exploitation and benefit-sharing in developing-country settings;
- Describe and critique key theoretical perspectives on intra-state natural resource-related conflicts in developing-country settings;
- Describe and critique key policy approaches to managing, mitigating and resolving intrastate natural resource conflicts;
- Apply some of the methodological and conceptual tools of social sciences, especially political ecology, and political/legal perspectives to intrastate natural resource conflict analysis;
- Critically reflect upon how their conceptions and understandings of intrastate natural resource conflict have changed and evolved.
Indicative Assessment
- Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Critical analysis of course themes (800 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Minor Essay (1200 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Research Essay (2000 words) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This course comprises some 130 hours of activity over 12 weeks, including some 24 hours of lectures or an equivalent activity and some 12 hours of tutorials or equivalent activity. The course comprises a maximum of 6000 words of assessment or the equivalent.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Peluso, N.L. and Watts, M. (eds.). 2001. Violent Environments. Cornell University Press, Ithaca.Lujala, P. and S.A. Rustad. (eds). 2012. High-Value Natural Resources and Peacebuilding, London: Earthscan.
Hall, D, Hirsch, P. and Li, T. 2011. Powers of Exclusion: Land Dilemmas in Southeast Asia. National University of Singapore Press, Singapore.
Ballentine, K. and Sherman, J. Eds. 2003. The Political Economy of Armed Conflict: Beyond Greed and Grievance. Boulder and London: Lynne Rienner.
Preliminary Reading
Allen, M.G. Melanesia’s Violent Environments: towards a political ecology of conflict in the western Pacific. 2013. Geoforum 44:152-161.
Auty, R.M. 1993. Sustaining Development in Mineral Economies: the Resource-Curse Thesis. Routledge, London.
Ballard, C. and Banks, G. 2003. Resource Wars: the anthropology of mining. Annual Review of Anthropology 32:287-313.
Ballentine, K. and Sherman, J. Eds. 2003. The Political Economy of Armed Conflict: Beyond Greed and Grievance. Boulder and London: Lynne Rienner.
Banks, G. 2008. Understanding ‘resource conflicts’ in Papua New Guinea. Asia Pacific Viewpoint 49(1):23-34.
Bannon, I. & Collier, P, (eds.) 2003, Natural resources and violent conflict: Options and actions, The World Bank, Washington.
Bruch C, Jensen D, Nakayama M, Unruh J, Gruby R, Wolfarth R. 2008. Post-Conflict Peace Building and Natural Resources. Yearbook of International Environmental Law 19(1): 58-96. DOI: 10.1093/yiel/19.1.58
Collier, P. and Hoeffler, A. 2004. Greed and Grievance in Civil War. Oxford Economic Papers, 56:563-595.
Cramer, C. 2002. Homo Economicus Goes to War: Methodological Individualism, Rational Choice and the Political Economy of War. World Development, 30(11):1845-1864.
Elmhirst, R. 2001. Resource struggles and the politics of place in North Lampung, Indonesia. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography 22(3):284-306.
Filer, C. 1997. Compensation, Rent and Power in Papua New Guinea. In S. Toft (ed.), Compensation for Resource Development in Papua New Guinea. The Australian National University, Canberra, pp. 157-189.
Hall, D, Hirsch, P. and Li, T. Powers of Exclusion: Land Dilemmas in Southeast Asia. National University of Singapore Press, Singapore.
Homer-Dixon, T.F. 1999. Environment, Scarcity and Violence. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Koczberski, G. and Curry, G.N. 2004. Divided communities and contested landscapes: Mobility, development and shifting identities in migrant destination sites in Papua New Guinea. Asia Pacific Viewpoin
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7869 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |