Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1990. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 231-248). Also available via the Internet.

Bibliography: leaves 283-296. / Within the Western cosmology there are two distinct interpretations of how humans should relate to their environment, and for the purpose of this dissertation these interpretations have been characterized as cultural paradigms. The paradigms are not concrete entities, they are merely useful abstractions for grouping together mutually supporting assumptions. It is held that the socially dominant interpretation centres on an assumption that people are distinct from nature, while the alternative suggests they are a part of Nature. It is held that the expression of the axioms and assumptions which are collected within what is here called the Dominant Western Environmental Paradigm leads inevitably to a situation of stress and conflict between humans and their environment. The existence of significant anthropogenic ecological stress in the planetary system is taken as given. It is argued that this stress is a symptom of an inappropriately conceptualized relationship between humans and nature. It is further held that the interface between human and nature is a traditional area of geographical concern, and that geography as a discipline should be taking active steps to research the problems and propose solutions. Reasons for the failure of geography as a discipline to address the issue adequately are explored. It is argued that the process of working through the assumptions of the Dominant Western Environmental Paradigm leads to a situation where science, including geography, is subordinated socially to the dictates of economic rationality, and is thus unable to mount a significant challenge to the social and economic structures which are at the root of the ecological stress. It is concluded that only by the conscious process of stepping outside the dominant cultural paradigm will geographers be able to examine the full scope of the problems, and that by framing the disciplinary paradigm of geography so as to be in sympathy with the assumptions of the Green cultural paradigm geographers will discover new and appropriate tools of analysis as well as potential solutions to the ecological stress problem. A number of these are presented and explored. A failure to step outside the ruling framework will, however, constrain analysis. It is argued that no paradigm shift has occurred, on a disciplinary (geographical) or a cultural scale, but that alternative frameworks are sufficiently coherent to support the possibility of such a revolution.

No description available.

Thesis--Stanford University. / Microfilm-xerography of typescript. Ann Arbor, Mich. : University Microfilms International, 1978.--22 cm. Includes bibliographical references.

his thesis is a discussion on the affective politics of images, with attention given to the communities and forms of citizenship they create, both digital and real, and their role in contemporary revolutions in the Middle East/North African Region. Employing Ariella Azoulay's (2008) theoretical framework of a civil contract of photography, this thesis locates and examines how a “citizenship of photography” is mobilized through current trends of citizen photojournalism and communication technology. By exploring the citizenship and community building potential of images, digital and real, an account of the revolutionary possibilities of images is formed. Drawing on recent scholarship and theoretical frameworks in the field of visual studies, media studies, and citizenship, this thesis develops a complex narrative of how images become iconic, connect individuals, and become an integral component in contemporary revolutionary change.

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A group of students from the Peace and Development master program at Linnaeus University in Växjö have conducted a field study on agriculture in Ribaue district, Nampula, Mozambique. This study took place over a period of five weeks starting from the beginning of April. The purpose of the research was to perform a socio-economic study to gain a better understanding of the conditions under which the population of Ribaue live, the majority of which are small-scale farmers. Also, how they manage to access resources in order to improve their livelihoods and how small-scale farmers are striving to reach a lifestyle that is more sustainable. This study concentrates on the potential introduction of the Green Revolution Strategy, which is linked to food security and combating poverty, in Mozambique. It asks the question: under what conditions can it be possible for a Green Revolution Strategy to be developed and implemented in the district of Ribaue in Nampula, and which are the necessary prerequisites for a successful implementation of such a strategy? We have, through interviews, observations and participation in various activities, discovered the main issues that need to be addressed in the district. The Green Revolution Strategy exists in theory on the national level but has not yet been fully implemented in practice. Very few producers in Ribaue have heard of the concept ‘Green Revolution’, however, certain parts of its content were known to farmers, such as improved seeds and fertilizers. Furthermore, the gender conditions are still in favor of men, although some significant progress has been made. Better access to education and credit, improved infrastructure, and more effective spread of information and communication are some of the prerequisites that need to be addressed in Ribaue and they are presented in this study.

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No / The aggressive promotion of a neo-liberal form of economic globalization has created super-rich capitalists in the South as well as the North, many of whom choose to invest some of their accumulated wealth in philanthropic ventures targeted at helping to reduce social problems, such as poverty, disease and food insecurity. The rich who have been actively involved in giving to charities and setting up philanthropic foundations – and who have developed a global reputation around this activity – are referred to here as capitalist philanthropists. While capitalist philanthropists’ often-stated rationale for this activity is to help others benefit from their ‘wealth creation’, this form of philanthropy is both politically and ideologically committed to a market approach. In the case of agriculture, this means the modernization of agriculture through market-led forces of production and support for a strategy to restructure agriculture with implementation of new technologies, innovation and management techniques. What has become known as the New Green Revolution is delivered through partnerships between public, private and local institutions and small farmers with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa. The article critically examines why capitalist philanthropists give away significant portions of their wealth to projects and programmes that support agrarian change and food security. It considers the motivations for partnerships with private corporations through which they engage in this agenda. What are the political and ideological motivations of capitalist philanthropy? Is this kind of giving altruistic, for the good of society? Or do the origins of capitalist philanthropy determine ‘giving’ as market-led development and expansion of the market as the solution to food security?

The objective of this dissertation is to understand the impacts of the Green Revolution on well-being, poverty and on the natural environment within a case study of Guaraciaba do Norte, a small município on a highland plateau surrounded by the semi-arid caatinga in Northeast Brazil. The Green Revolution technology was introduced in the early 1970's and has since transformed the município of Guaraciaba do Norte. Through the analysis of empirical data three different categories of stakeholders were identified and compared, the traditional rainfed producers located in the carrasco (semi-arid region) and zona húmida (humid zone of the plateau) and the Green Revolution producers called irrigators, located along the rivers. With respects to well-being, the research shows that the Green Revolution had a significant and positive affect on economic growth and development, reducing inequality and poverty levels in the município, as well as having significant multiplier effect on the non-agricultural sector, which is highly dependent on the vegetable production activates. Despite this, there are concerns of increased levels of vulnerability and its role in restricting access of new producers in adopting this technology. The abusive use of pesticides in the initial stages and improper disposal of packaging created environmental issues however, these have been resolved over time. Additionally, climate change effects have led to concerns related to the reduced water availability and consequently the future of agricultural activity in the region.