Research Project Hierarchies of Rights
Large-scale investments into natural resources have the potential to accelerate economic growth, create jobs and strengthen links between local economies and world markets. However, investments often end up upsetting rights and causing social protests and political instability.The project aims to analyse how struggles related to large-scale investments into natural resources affect rights, particularly of small-holders, to land in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Tanzania and Mozambique
Based on a set of primarily qualitative comparative case study methodologies, the program studies how investments into oil/gas, mining and agriculture in Tanzania and Mozambique affect small-holders' rights to land. Both countries have experienced a dramatic surge in large-scale investments and, subsequently, political tensions, intense negotiations and conflicts over rights.Mozambique and Tanzania have both undergone wide-ranging 'neo-liberal' reforms to promote private investments and they are both developing democracies that leave some room for political dissent. The main difference between the two countries lies in their political settlements. Tanzanias elite are more fragmented than those in Mozambique which may explain why Mozambique recently has been able to prepare for and push through more investment projects at a faster pace than Tanzania.Research will be carried out by two teams in each country. Studies will be paired across the countries and follow common research guidelines.
Oil/gas, minerals and agricultural investments
Resource types will be selected along the entire cotinuum from extremely high value oil/gas over the high value minerals to lower value agricultural investments. The program deducts two variables: type of natural resource investment and the political settlement and political sociology literatures.
Impact
The project strives to offer input for local civil society, national governments, and multinational corporations on how to better manage disputes over land and natural resources and create conditions for inclusive growth and political stability. It also seeks to provide guidance for donors on how to harness development aid towards strengthening small-holders' rights and avoiding the resource curse in Sub-Saharan African countries undergoing resource booms.
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Contact
Project coordination Lars Buur, Associated Professor, Roskilde University, Denmark, lbuur@ruc.dk
ResearchersMozambique
Josè Macuane, University Eduardo Mondlane, MZ (Team Leader on Mozambique)
Lars Buur, Roskilde University, DK
Carlota M. M. Tembe, University Eduardo Mondlane, MZ
Celso Monjane, University Eduardo Mondlane, MZ // University Dar es Salaam, TZ
Padil Salimo, Roskilde University // University Dar es Salaam, TZ
TanzaniaFaustin Maganga, University Dar es Salaam, TZ (Team Leader on Tanzania)
Rasmus Hundsbæk Pedersen, Danish Institute for International Studies, DK
Agnes Mwakaje, University of Dar es Salaam, TZ
Opportuna Kweka, University of Dar es Salaam, TZ
Emmanuel Sulle, University of Dar es Salaam, TZ
Thabit Jacob, Roskilde University // University of Dar es Salaam, TZ
Eileen Dyer Jarnholt, Roskilde University, DK
UgandaMalin Nystrand, Roskilde University, DK
Steering committee
Lars Buur, Roskilde University, DK
Faustin Maganga, University Dar es Salaam, TZ
Josè Macuane, University Eduardo Mondlane, MZ
Opportuna Kweka, University of Dar es Salaam, TZ
All Publications, Workshops and Projects
Base at Roskilde University
The project is based at the Department of Social Science and Business
Participating research units: Global Political Sociology Research group // Socio-Economic Research Centre Research Centre
PhD programme: Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Business - International studies
Relevant degree programmes: International Studies // Global and Development Studies // International Bachelor in Social Science
Research from Roskilde University
More about the project
Find additional information about Hierarchies of Rights:
Contact
Head of Project
Lars Buur
Associate professor // Roskilde University // Denmark
Phone +45 46743684
lbuur@ruc.dk