Participants

Discussion

Resources and Conflict

The mobilisation of resources often results in the transformation and upheaval of social relations. 

This round table will explore conflict (be this war or everyday local tensions) that emerges around issues of ownership or control over resources. Resources can be both material (such as land, water, oil, or gas) or immaterial (such as identity or history). The movement of resources has been particularly intense in eastern Europe during two periods in the previous century: first, following the establishment of state socialism after the Russian revolution (or some decades later in the case of east European countries),  when many resources came under the control of the state; and second, following the dismantling of state socialism and adoption of capitalist political economies after 1989/91. In this latter period, the implementation of neoliberal policies transformed the former socialist world into a resource frontier where new (private) ownership/control and management arrangements came into play.  

At both momentous times in the region’s past, new divisions, forms of resistance and tensions emerged. Sometimes new alliances or solidarities were also created. 

The roundtable will look at the question of resources and conflict from an interdisciplinary perspective.