Political Landscapes: Forests, Conservation, and Community in Mexico
Following the 1917 Mexican Revolution inhabitants of the states of Chihuahua and Michoacán received vast tracts of prime timberland as part of Mexico's land redistribution program. Although locals gained possession of the forests, the federal government retained management rights, which created conflict over subsequent decades among rural, often indigenous villages; government; and private timber companies about how best to manage the forests. Christopher R. Boyer examines this history in Political Landscapes, where he argues that the forests in Chihuahua and Michoacán became what he calls "political landscapes"—that is, geographies that become politicized by the interactions between opposing actors—through the effects of backroom deals, nepotism, and political negotiations. Understanding the historical dynamic of community forestry in Mexico is particularly critical for those interested in promoting community involvement in the use and conservation of forestlands around the world. Considering how rural and indigenous people have confronted, accepted, and modified the rationalizing projects of forest management foisted on them by a developmentalist state is crucial before community management is implemented elsewhere.
1125430418
Political Landscapes: Forests, Conservation, and Community in Mexico
Following the 1917 Mexican Revolution inhabitants of the states of Chihuahua and Michoacán received vast tracts of prime timberland as part of Mexico's land redistribution program. Although locals gained possession of the forests, the federal government retained management rights, which created conflict over subsequent decades among rural, often indigenous villages; government; and private timber companies about how best to manage the forests. Christopher R. Boyer examines this history in Political Landscapes, where he argues that the forests in Chihuahua and Michoacán became what he calls "political landscapes"—that is, geographies that become politicized by the interactions between opposing actors—through the effects of backroom deals, nepotism, and political negotiations. Understanding the historical dynamic of community forestry in Mexico is particularly critical for those interested in promoting community involvement in the use and conservation of forestlands around the world. Considering how rural and indigenous people have confronted, accepted, and modified the rationalizing projects of forest management foisted on them by a developmentalist state is crucial before community management is implemented elsewhere.
39.95 In Stock
Political Landscapes: Forests, Conservation, and Community in Mexico

Political Landscapes: Forests, Conservation, and Community in Mexico

by Christopher R Boyer
Political Landscapes: Forests, Conservation, and Community in Mexico

Political Landscapes: Forests, Conservation, and Community in Mexico

by Christopher R Boyer

Paperback(New Edition)

$39.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 6-10 days.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

Following the 1917 Mexican Revolution inhabitants of the states of Chihuahua and Michoacán received vast tracts of prime timberland as part of Mexico's land redistribution program. Although locals gained possession of the forests, the federal government retained management rights, which created conflict over subsequent decades among rural, often indigenous villages; government; and private timber companies about how best to manage the forests. Christopher R. Boyer examines this history in Political Landscapes, where he argues that the forests in Chihuahua and Michoacán became what he calls "political landscapes"—that is, geographies that become politicized by the interactions between opposing actors—through the effects of backroom deals, nepotism, and political negotiations. Understanding the historical dynamic of community forestry in Mexico is particularly critical for those interested in promoting community involvement in the use and conservation of forestlands around the world. Considering how rural and indigenous people have confronted, accepted, and modified the rationalizing projects of forest management foisted on them by a developmentalist state is crucial before community management is implemented elsewhere.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780822358329
Publisher: Duke University Press
Publication date: 05/01/2015
Edition description: New Edition
Pages: 360
Product dimensions: 6.47(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.73(d)

About the Author

Christopher R. Boyer is Professor of History and Latin American and Latino Studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He is the editor of A Land between Waters: Environmental Histories of Modern Mexico.

Table of Contents

Illustrations  xi
Preface  xiii
Acknowledgments  xvii
Introduction  1
Part I. The Making of Revolutionary Forestry
1. The Commodification of Nature, 1880–1910  25
2. Revolution and Regulation, 1910–1928  60
3. Revolutionary Forestry, 1928–1942  93
Part II. The Development Imperative
4. Industrial Forests, 1942–1958  129
5. The Ecology of Development, 1952–1972  167
6. The Romance of State Forestry, 1972–1992  203
Conclusion. Slivers of Hope in the Neoliberal Forest  239
Appendix 1. Federal Forestry Codes, 1926–2008  259
Appendix 2. UIEFs, 1945–1986  261
Notes  263
Bibliography  309
Index  327

What People are Saying About This

Wandering Peoples - Cynthia Radding

"Political Landscapes is an excellently researched and meticulously documented environmental and political history of modern Mexico. Christopher R. Boyer's focus on the forests shows us a new way of writing Mexico's history from the Revolution forward. A masterful narrative, this will become a very important and influential book."

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews