Contested Powers : The Politics of Energy and Development in Latin America

Front Cover -- About the Editors -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Contents -- Tables and Figures -- Map -- 1: Introduction: Recovering Power from Energy - Reconsidering the Linkages Between Energy and Development -- Introduction -- Resource Sovereignties -- Contested Powers in Latin America -- A Politics of Renewables -- Beyond National and Regional Borders -- Development, Modernity and Power -- An Anthropology of Energy? -- Critical Institutionalism -- Critical Perspectives on the Energetic State -- The Story of This Book -- Notes -- References -- 2: Oil Extraction and Territorial Disputes in the Maya Biosphere Reserve -- Post-War Guatemala -- The Political History of Mining -- Laguna Del Tigre: A Strategic Territory -- The Xan Oil Well -- Population and Land Occupation -- Interest Groups and Social Conflict -- Creating Favourable Public Opinion -- Oil Contracts to the Detriment of National Interests -- The Controversial Role of the State -- The Consequences -- Final Reflections -- Notes -- References -- Webpages -- 3: Gracias A Díos Y Al Gobierno: Electric Power Struggles in Nicaraguan Politics -- Background: Nicaragua, State, Society and Electricity -- Electric Power to the People -- Changing Opportunities for Popular Protest -- Conclusion -- Notes -- References -- 4: Wind at the Margins of the State: Autonomy and Renewable Energy Development in Southern Mexico -- Oaxacan Wind Power at a Crossroads -- An Anthropology of Failure -- In the Fading Light of the Black Sun -- Capturing the Meter -- Rescuing the Land from the Wind -- On Fish and Neoliberalism -- Conclusions: Downed Windmills -- Notes -- References -- 5: Oil and Environmental Injustice in Venezuela: An Ethnographic Study of Punta Cardón -- Introduction -- Before the Arrival of the Oil Company -- The First Contact with Oil People -- The Attraction of 'Black Gold'