Ethnic resistance and state environmental policy: Uyghurs and Mongols

مرکز و کتابخانه مطالعات اسلامی به زبان های اروپایی

منو

" Ethnic resistance and state environmental policy: Uyghurs and Mongols "
Laura N. Stahle B. Sheehan

Document Type	:	Latin Dissertation
Language of Document	:	English
Record Number	:	54887
Doc. No	:	TL24841
Call number	:	‭1467531‬
Main Entry	:	Laura N. Stahle
Title & Author	:	Ethnic resistance and state environmental policy: Uyghurs and Mongols\ Laura N. Stahle
College	:	University of Southern California
Date	:	2009
Degree	:	M.A.
student score	:	2009
Page No	:	74
Abstract	:	Many regions in China face severe environmental degradation. The government response to these problems has varied from region to region. In particular, environmental rehabilitation in the Tarim River Basin in southern Xinjiang has been much more successful than in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia. In this study, I examine the causes of environmental degradation and government efforts to mitigate that destruction in both areas. I analyzed scientific, sociological, and historical literature as well as reports prepared by Chinese ministries and international organizations. My research suggests the most significant factor contributing to the discrepancy in the effectiveness of environmental rehabilitation in these two regions is the seriousness with which the Chinese state considers the threat of Uyghur separatism. Unlike the ethnic Mongols of Inner Mongolia, who make up a very small percentage of the population and who have not engaged in political unrest, there is a large Uyghur population in the Tarim River Basin, which has a history of participation in overt separatist activities. While I believe this is the most important factor in Beijing's varying response to environmental degradation in these places, there are other factors as well. They include, the presence of Han dominated Bingtuan farms in the upper Tarim River Basin, the dismissive discourse among officials that blames Mongols for environmental decline in the grasslands, the Chinese state's preference for agriculture over pastoralism, and the government partnership with international organizations in the restoration of the Tarim River. My analysis suggests these factors combined with the more prominent issue of the threat of ethnic unrest in southern Xinjiang has prompted a more effective response to the environmental degradation of the Tarim River Basin than that of the Inner Mongolian grasslands. I believe my study has implications for how we understand the myriad ways in which Beijing attempts to simultaneously pacify and neutralize Uyghurs in an effort to bring Xinjiang more firmly under its control.
Subject	:	Health and environmental sciences; Social sciences; China; Environmental degradation; Ethnic relations; Inner mongolia; State policy; Xinjiang; History; Ethnic studies; Environmental science; 0768:Environmental science; 0631:Ethnic studies; 0332:History
Added Entry	:	B. Sheehan
Added Entry	:	University of Southern California