Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Insecurity Within and Outside the State: The Regional and Local Dynamics of Environmental Insecurity in the Mekong

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Human Security

  • 1021 Accesses

Abstract

Environmental security is perhaps the most prominent of the seven aspects of human security conceived by the United Nations Development Program in 1994. This chapter examines the extra-regional and intraregional dynamics of environment insecurity in the Mekong region. The core argument is that the concept needs to be subject to deeper critical analysis and scholars and practitioners need to be more cognizant of the political dynamics underpinning environmental insecurity and the possibilities of addressing it. Four challenges are identified. First, closer analyses of which forms of environmental insecurity are acted upon and which are marginalized suggests that certain environmental issues have more visibility than others. Second, environmental insecurity can have transnational origins but is experienced locally, requiring a contextually driven understanding. Thirdly, politicizing and addressing environmental insecurity depends upon a range of actors and the state should not necessarily be prioritized. Lastly, politicizing environmental insecurity is vital, but there is little attention given to the complex configurations within which different actors, particularly non-state actors, operate in making the diverse experiences of environmental insecurity visible.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Asian Development Bank (ADB). (2006). The Mekong region: Foreign direct investment. Manila: ADB.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakker, K. (1999). The politics of hydropower: Developing the Mekong. Political Geography, 18(2), 209–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barkin, J. S. (2005). The environment, trade and international organizations. In P. Dauvergne (Ed.), Handbook of global environmental politics (pp. 334–347). Cheltenham/ Northampton: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berhe, A. (2007). The contribution of landmines to land degradation. Land Degradation and Development, 18(1), 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Booth, K. (1991). Security and emancipation. Review of International Studies, 17(4), 313–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, A., & McDonald, M. (2007). Introduction: Asia-Pacific security legacies and futures. In A. Burke & M. McDonald (Eds.), Critical security in the Asia-Pacific (pp. 1–24). Manchester: Manchester University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clapp, J. (2005). Transnational corporations and global environment governance. In P. Dauvergne (Ed.), Handbook of global environmental politics (pp. 284–297). Cheltenham/Northampton: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corlin, C. (2004). Hmong and the land question in Vietnam: National policy and local concepts of the environment. In N. Tapp, J. Michaud, C. Culas, & G. Y. Lee (Eds.), Hmong/Miao in Asia (pp. 295–320). Bangkok: Silkworm Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darlington, S. (1998). The ordination of a tree: The Buddhist ecology movement in Thailand. Ethnology, 37(1), 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dasgupta, S., Deichmann, U., Meisner, C., & Wheeler, D. (2005). Where is the poverty-environment nexus? Evidence from Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam. World Development, 33(4), 617–638.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donovan, D. (2003). Trading in the forest: Lessons from Lao history. In L. Tuck-Po, W. De Jong, & A. Ken-ichi (Eds.), The political ecology of tropical forests in Southeast Asia: Historical perspectives (pp. 72–106). Kyoto/Melbourne: Kyoto University Press/Trans Pacific Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dore, J. (2003). The governance of increasing Mekong regionalism. In M. Kaosa-ard & J. Dore (Eds.), Social challenges for the Mekong (pp. 405–440). Chang Mai: Social Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunne, T., & Wheeler, N. (2004). ‘We the peoples’ contending discourses of security in human rights theory and practice. International Relations, 18(1), 9–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dyer, H. (2001). Environmental security and international relations: The case for enclosure. Review of International Studies, 27(3), 441–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, L. (2007). Harm and emancipation: Making environmental security ‘critical’ in the Asia-Pacific. In A. Burke & M. McDonald (Eds.), Critical security in the Asia-Pacific (pp. 121–135). Manchester: Manchester University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evrard, O., & Goudineau, Y. (2004). Planned resettlement, unexpected migrations and cultural trauma in Laos. Development and Change, 35(5), 937–962.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foran, T., & Manoram, K. (2009). Pak Mun dam: Perpetually contested? In F. Molle, T. Foran, & M. Käkönen (Eds.), Contested waterscapes in the Mekong region: Hydropower, livelihoods, and governance (pp. 55–80). London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, C., & Sneddon, C. (2007). Transboundary river basin agreements in the Mekong and Zambezi basins: Enhancing environmental security or securitizing the environment? International Environmental Agreements, 7, 237–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, N. (2001). The rise and fall of foreign direct investment in Laos, 1988–2000. Post-Communist Economies, 13(1), 101–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujita, Y., & Phengospha, K. (2008). The gap between policy and practice in Lao PDR. In C. P. Colfer, G. R. Dahal, & D. Capistrano (Eds.), Lessons from decentralization: Money, justice and the quest for good governance in Asia-Pacific (pp. 117–132). London/Sterling: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graeger, N. (1996). Environmental security? Journal of Peace Research, 33(1), 109–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunn, G. (2008). Laos in 2007: Regional integration and international fallout. Asian Survey, 48(1), 62–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harima, R., Varona, R., & DeFalco, C. (2003). Migration. In M. Kaosa-ard & J. Dore (Eds.), Social challenges for the Mekong (pp. 225–262). Chang Mai: Social Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinimann, A., Messerli, P., Schmidt-Vogt, D., & Wiesmann, U. (2007). The dynamics of secondary forest landscapes in the lower Mekong basin. Mountain Research and Development, 27(3), 232–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch, P. (2001). Globalisation, regionalisation, and local voices: The Asian Development Bank and re-scaled politics of environment in the Mekong region. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography, 22(3), 237–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howell, J. (2006). Gender and civil society. In H. Anheier, M. Glasius, & M. Kaldor (Eds.), Global civil society (pp. 38–63). London/Thousand Oaks/New Delhi: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, C. (2007). Transnational networks, international organizations and political participation in Cambodia: Human rights, labor rights and common rights. Democratization, 14(5), 834–852.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, C. (2008). Cambodia in 2007: Development and dispossession. Asian Survey, 48(1), 69–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Rivers Network (IRN). (2008). Power surge. Berkeley: IRN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, J. (2002). The Mekong River Commission: Transboundary water resources planning and regional security. The Geographical Journal, 196(4), 354–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, J. (2009). Planning for change and sustainability in water development in Lao PDR and the Mekong river basin. Natural Resources Forum, 20(3), 175–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jönsson, K. (2009). Laos in 2008: Hydropower and flooding (or business as usual). Asian Survey, 49(1), 200–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Käkönen, M., & Hirsch, P. (2009). The anti-politics of Mekong knowledge production. In F. Molle, T. Foran, & M. Käkönen (Eds.), Contested waterscapes in the Mekong region: Hydropower, livelihoods, and governance (pp. 333–356). London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaosa-ard, M. (2003). Poverty and globalization. In M. Kaosa-ard & J. Dore (Eds.), Social challenges for the Mekong (pp. 81–108). Chang Mai: Social Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaur, A. (2010). Labour migration in Southeast Asia: Migration policies, labour exploitation and regulation. Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, 15(1), 6–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimble, M. (2005). Climate change: Emerging insecurities. In F. Dodds & T. Pippard (Eds.), Human and environmental security (pp. 103–114). London/Sterling: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landau, I. (2008). Law and civil society in Cambodia and Vietnam: A gramscian perspective. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 38(2), 244–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lebel, L., Sinh, T., Bach, G., Po, S., Suong, T., Ahn, L., & Van Truc, D. (2009). The promise of flood protection: Dikes and dams, drains and diversions. In F. Molle, T. Foran, & M. Käkönen (Eds.), Contested waterscapes in the Mekong region: Hydropower, livelihoods, and governance (pp. 282–306). London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, K. (2003). Social challenges for Lao PDR. In M. Kaosa-ard & J. Dore (Eds.), Social challenges for the Mekong (pp. 109–122). Chang Mai: Social Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lestrelin, G., & Giordano, M. (2007). Upland development policy, livelihood change and land degradation: Interactions from a Laotian village. Land Degradation and Development, 18(1), 55–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lidén, A., & Eneström, A.-K. (2005). The Peacebuilding Commission: Linking security and development. In F. Dodds & T. Pippard (Eds.), Human and environmental security (pp. 17–26). London/Sterling: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipschutz, R. (2005). Environmental regulation, certification and corporate standards: A critique. In P. Dauvergne (Ed.), Handbook of global environmental politics (pp. 218–232). Cheltenham/ Northampton: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manivong, K., & Sophathilath, P. (2007). Status of community based forest management in Lao PDR. Bangkok: RECROFT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masviriyakul, S. (2006). Sino-Thai strategic economic development in the greater Mekong subregion (1992–2003). Contemporary Southeast Asia, 26(2), 302–319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, M. (2002). Human security and the construction of security. Global Society, 16(3), 277–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDuie-Ra, D. (2007). Owning the environment: Ethnicity, development, and civil society. Asian Ethnicity, 8(1), 44–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDuie-Ra, D. (2009). Civil society, democratization and the search for human security: The politics of the environment, gender, and identity in India. New York: Nova Science.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mekong River Commission (MRC). (2008). Draft programme document: Sustainable hydropower programme. Vientiane: MRC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muntarbhorn, V. (2005). The Mekong challenge: Employment and protection of migrant workers in Thailand. Bangkok: International Labor Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen, & Tan, Qunag. (2008). The household economy and decentralization of forest management in Vietnam. In C. P. Colfer, G. R. Dahal, & D. Capistrano (Eds.), Lessons from decentralization: Money, justice and the quest for good governance in Asia-Pacific (pp. 187–210). London/Sterling: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oehlers, A. (2006). A critique of ADB policies towards the greater Mekong sub-region. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 3(4), 464–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ovesen, J. (2004). The Hmong and development in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. In N. Tapp, J. Michaud, C. Culas, & G.Y. Lee (Eds.), Hmong/Miao in Asia (pp. 457–476). Bangkok: Silkworm Books. Jan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pech, S., & Sunada, K. (2008). Population growth and natural-resources pressures in the Mekong river basin. AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 37(3), 219–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pellini, A., & Ayres, D. (2007). Community participation in local governance in Cambodia: Learning from the village networks approach. Development in Practice, 17(3), 404–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poncet, S. (2006). Economic integration of Yunnan with the greater Mekong sub region. Asian Economic Journal, 20(3), 303–317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pronk, J. (2005). Globalization, poverty and security. In F. Dodds & T. Pippard (Eds.), Human and environmental security (pp. 71–102). London/Sterling: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quang, V. D. (2004). The Hmong and forest management in Northern Vietnam’s mountainous areas. In N. Tapp, J. Michaud, C. Culas, & G. Y. Lee (Eds.), Hmong/Miao in Asia (pp. 321–334). Bangkok: Silkworm Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratner, B. (2003). The politics of regional governance in the Mekong river basin. Global Change, Peace & Security, 15(1), 59–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rerkasem, K. (2003). Uplands land use. In M. Kaosa-ard & J. Dore (Eds.), Social challenges for the Mekong (pp. 323–346). Chang Mai: Social Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigg, J. (2006). Forests, marketization, livelihoods and the poor in the Lao PDR. Land Degradation and Development, 17(2), 123–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowcroft, P. (2008). Frontiers of change: The reasons behind land-use change in the Mekong basin. AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 37(3), 213–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutherford, J., Lazarus, K., & Kelley, S. (2008). Rethinking investments in natural resources: China’s emerging role in the Mekong region. Phnom Penh/ Copenhagen/ Winnipeg: Heinrich Böll Stiftung Cambodia/ WWF Denmark/ International Institute for Sustainable Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rwabizambuga, A. (2007). Environmental security and development. Conflict, Security & Development, 7(1), 201–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sekhar, N. (2007). Traditional versus improved agroforestry systems in Vietnam: A comparison. Land Degradation and Development, 18(1), 89–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, A. (2007). The environment – Energy security nexus: Critical analysis of an energy ‘love triangle’ in Southeast Asia. Third World Quarterly, 28(3), 539–554.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinh, B. T. (2003). The cultural politics of development and environment in Vietnam. In M. Kaosa-ard & J. Dore (Eds.), Social challenges for the Mekong (pp. 371–404). Chang Mai: Social Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tar, C. M. (2003). Fishing lots and people in Cambodia. In M. Kaosa-ard & J. Dore (Eds.), Social challenges for the Mekong (pp. 347–370). Chang Mai: Social Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theeravit, K. (2003). Relationships within and between the Mekong region in the context of globalization. In M. Kaosa-ard & J. Dore (Eds.), Social challenges for the Mekong (pp. 49–80). Chang Mai: Social Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thongpakde, N. (2001). Impact and implications of ASEAN enlargement on trade. In M. Than & C. Gates (Eds.), ASEAN enlargement: Impacts and implications (pp. 45–79). Singapore: ISEAS.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Development Program (UNDP). (1994). World Development Report 1994. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Utting, P. (2006). Introduction: Reclaiming development agendas. In P. Utting (Ed.), Reclaiming development agendas: Knowledge, power, and international policy making (pp. 1–24). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan/ UNRSID.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varis, O., Keskinen, M., & Kummu, M. (2008). Mekong at the crossroads. AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 37(3), 146–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasavakul, T. (2003). From fence-breaking to networking: Interests, popular organizations, and policy influences in post-socialist Vietnam. In B. Kerkvliet, R. Heng, & D. Koh (Eds.), Getting organized in Vietnam: Moving in and around the socialist state (pp. 25–61). Singapore: ISEAS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, A. (1999). The legend of the golden boat: Regulation, trade and traders in the borderlands of Laos, Thailand, China and Burma. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, M. (2005). Knowledge and global environmental policy. In P. Dauvergne (Ed.), Handbook of global environmental politics (pp. 402–416). Cheltenham/ Northampton: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, X. (2003). Regional cooperation and energy development in the greater Mekong sub-region. Energy Policy, 31, 1221–1234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

    Duncan McDuie-Ra

Authors
  1. Duncan McDuie-Ra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Duncan McDuie-Ra .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, 11800, Malaysia

    Benny Teh Cheng Guan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

McDuie-Ra, D. (2012). Insecurity Within and Outside the State: The Regional and Local Dynamics of Environmental Insecurity in the Mekong. In: Teh Cheng Guan, B. (eds) Human Security. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1799-2_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation