Radical interpretation of disasters: Post-colonial and capitalist nexus in Chile (and keyways to just and equitable future)
By Vicente Sandoval
Chile, known for its diverse landscapes and cultural diversity, hides a less-explored narrative that intertwines disasters, post-colonial legacies, and capitalist influences. In this blog post, I aim to take a closer look at these connections –without claiming to offer a groundbreaking analysis. Instead, the goal is to shed light on the complex interplay between these factors and their implications for Chile and the broader Latin American context.
Here, I embark on trying to understand disasters not as isolated, random events but as outcomes of a complex web of historical injustices, contemporary power dynamics, and economic systems that often prioritize profit over people. After listened over the years inspiring voices of scholars, activists, and thinkers (many of them as part of the collective RADIX) who have courageously challenged conventional wisdom, I expect to offer critical perspectives that invite us to question the status quo.
I have organized this blog post by entailing few but important questions: How does post-colonialism influence disaster vulnerability? What role does capitalism play in exacerbating the impact of disasters on marginalized populations? and finally, can a radical reimagining of disasters pave the way for a more just and equitable future in the region?
How Post-Colonialism Influences Disaster Vulnerability in Chile and Latin America
To understand the intricate relationship between post-colonialism and disaster vulnerability in Chile and Latin America, we must first acknowledge the enduring legacies of colonization. Centuries of European colonization, which began with the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the late 15th century to the US and China in the 1990s and onwards, have left a profound imprint on the region's social, economic, and political landscape. This historical context is essential in comprehending the contemporary vulnerabilities faced by these societies in the face of disasters. Here I briefly mention five elements on how post-colonialism may influence disaster vulnerability in Chile and Latin America.
Land Dispossession and Indigenous Marginalization: One of the most enduring consequences of colonization has been the dispossession of indigenous lands. Indigenous communities across Chile and Latin America were systematically dispossessed of their ancestral territories, leading to the loss of their traditional livelihoods and cultural dislocation. As a result, many indigenous groups were forced into marginal, often ecologically fragile, areas. These areas or locations are frequently more susceptible to disasters due to exposure to droughts, floods, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions.
Economic Exploitation and Inequality: Colonization was driven by the extraction of natural resources, and this pattern continues today in the form of resource exploitation by both domestic and international actors. The economic system established during colonization has perpetuated vast inequalities, with a small elite controlling significant portions of wealth and power. When disasters strike, it is often the marginalized, impoverished communities that suffer the most due to their limited resources and access to social safety nets.
Inadequate Infrastructure Development: Colonial powers prioritized infrastructure development that served their interests as mentioned above (i.e., extraction, commercialization, transport of goods, etc.), often neglecting the needs of local populations. This legacy of inadequate infrastructure persists, leaving marginalized communities ill-prepared to cope with disasters. For instance, urbanization driven by colonial-era decisions has led to densely populated areas in earthquake- or tsunami-prone areas, such as Talcahuano, exacerbating the risks associated with seismic events.
Cultural Disruption and Loss of Traditional Knowledge: Colonization disrupted the social fabric of indigenous societies, eroding traditional knowledge systems that could have offered valuable insights into disaster preparedness and response. As a result, many indigenous and other marginalized communities lack the resilience and adaptive capacity to effectively deal with disasters in their region.
Political Power Dynamics: The post-colonial political landscape in Chile and Latin America is often characterized by power structures that favor the interests of elites and multinational corporations. This can lead to a lack of political will to address the root causes of vulnerability and prioritize disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation initiatives that benefit marginalized communities.
Thus, the impact of post-colonialism on disaster vulnerability in Chile and Latin America can be perceived as profound and multifaceted. It has resulted in a legacy of land dispossession, influenced economic inequality, and established the groundwork for inadequate infrastructure. Concurrently, cultural disruption and power imbalances persist, contributing to the region's susceptibility to disasters. Recognizing and addressing these historical injustices is essential for constructing a more equitable and resilient future for the people of Chile and Latin America.
The Role of Capitalism in Exacerbating the Impact of Disasters on Marginalized Populations in Chile and Latin America
Capitalism, viewed as an 'extractive' economic system that prioritizes profit and market-driven interests, significantly exacerbates the impact of disasters not only on marginalized populations in Chile, Latin America, and beyond but also perpetuates the legacies of post-colonialism. In my opinion, there are six ways in which the dynamics of capitalism contribute to this issue.
Resource Extraction and Environmental Degradation: Capitalism's pursuit of profit often leads to resource extraction on an unprecedented scale. In countries like Chile, mining and natural resource industries have boomed under capitalist principles. These activities can result in environmental degradation, deforestation, and pollution, making ecosystems more vulnerable to landslides, floods, droughts, and more recently to devastating wildfires. The poor and marginalized communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation, as they are disproportionately exposed to hazards due to their proximity to 'extraction' sites, encompassing not only mining but also intensive forest and agricultural industries.
Market-Driven Urbanization: In the 1960s and 1970s, the capitalist mode of production spurred urbanization and industrialization, attracting people from rural areas to cities in search of employment opportunities on an unprecedented scale in Chile and the region. However, this rapid and often unplanned urban growth resulted in the emergence of informal settlements in hazard-prone areas, including floodplains or steep hillsides, lacking access to essential urban services such as WASH, transportation, healthcare, and education. In times of extreme events, these marginalized urban populations face heightened risks due to substandard housing and inadequate infrastructure.
Privatization of Essential Services: In many capitalist systems like Chile, essential services like healthcare, education, and disaster response are often privatized or underfunded. This disproportionately affects marginalized communities, who may lack access to quality healthcare or disaster relief services. During disasters, these communities face challenges in accessing timely and adequate assistance, leading to increased vulnerability.
Market-Driven Climate Change: Capitalism's emphasis on economic growth and consumption contributes to climate change through increased greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption. Climate change, in turn, leads to more frequent and severe meteorological extremes, including weather events, rising sea levels, and temperature extremes. Marginalized populations often lack the resources to adapt to these changing climate conditions, leaving them more exposed to disaster risks.
Disaster Capitalism: Disaster capitalism is a term used to describe the exploitation of disasters for economic and political gain. In the aftermath of disasters, there is often an influx of private companies seeking to profit from the reconstruction and recovery efforts. This can result in the displacement of marginalized communities and the prioritization of profit over the needs and rights of affected populations. In Chile, there have been several instances of this, such as during the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and the reconstruction following the 2010 Maule earthquake.
Inequitable Access to Resources: Capitalism can exacerbate pre-existing inequalities by concentrating wealth and resources in the hands of a few. When disasters occur, these disparities become even more pronounced, as marginalized populations struggle to access resources and support, and later to income opportunities. This inequitable distribution of resources can hinder their ability to recover and rebuild their lives after disasters.
In sum, capitalism's profit-driven principles can intensify the impact of disasters on marginalized populations in Chile and Latin America by contributing to environmental degradation, urbanization challenges, privatization of essential services, climate change, disaster capitalism, and resource inequality. Recognizing these dynamics is crucial for addressing the root causes of vulnerability and working toward a more equitable and resilient society that prioritizes the well-being of all its members.
Paving the Path to a Just and Equitable Future in Latin America: The Power of a Radical Reimagination of Disasters
In the face of adversity, the human spirit has always possessed the remarkable capacity to innovate, adapt, and evolve. Disasters, with their potential for destruction, can serve as catalysts for positive social change. In Chile like in Latin America, where the scars of colonization and the weight of capitalism persist, a radical reimagining of disasters holds the promise of forging a more just and equitable future for the region. In my opinion, here are six keyways in which such a radical reimagining can lead the way.
Empowering Marginalized Voices: At the heart of this reimagining is the elevation of marginalized voices—indigenous communities, the urban poor, and vulnerable populations that have long been overlooked. By engaging these communities in disaster planning, decision-making, policy design, and research (i.e., transdisciplinarity), we can ensure that their unique perspectives, needs, and knowledge are integrated into resilience-building efforts.
Shifting from Reactive to Proactive: Traditional disaster response and disaster risk management have often been reactive, concentrating on addressing the immediate aftermath of an event. All phases of DRM (i.e., response, recovery, prevention, preparedness) need to receive equal attention and action. Proactive measures, such as disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and sustainable urban planning, must be actively promoted. These initiatives prioritize prevention and preparedness, ultimately mitigating the impact of disasters on vulnerable populations. A radical reimagining of disaster emphasizes the urgent need to address the creation of disaster risk—avoiding the generation of more risks than those we are actually reducing. This implies redefining development and our economic models.
Redefining Development: A radical reimagining challenges the traditional extractive and consumerism model of development that prioritizes economic growth at any cost. Instead, it calls for inclusive development that places the well-being of all citizens and the preservation of natural ecosystems at its core. This approach acknowledges that true prosperity cannot be achieved if it comes at the expense of marginalized communities or the environment.
Fostering Local and Community Resilience: Although disaster risk reduction efforts at the national and international levels are essential to provide the enabling conditions for change, building resilience at the community level is key to ensuring a more equitable future. This involves not only providing communities with the resources to withstand disasters but also strengthening social cohesion and solidarity, allowing them to decide their future with care. Community-led initiatives can empower residents to take ownership of their resilience and recovery processes.
Addressing Systemic Injustices: Disasters often reveal and exacerbate systemic injustices. A radical reimagining involves addressing these underlying issues, including land rights, wealth inequality, and access to resources, services, and opportunities. By dismantling oppressive systems and implementing policies that promote equity, we can create a more just society that is better equipped to withstand and recover from disasters.
International Solidarity: Finally, a reimagining of disasters extends beyond borders. It recognizes the interconnectedness of global and regional challenges and the importance of international solidarity. Current and past wars as well as their consequences teach us that disasters are not only triggered by extreme natural events, but also that collaborative efforts and resource sharing can help countries in Latin America and beyond to build resilience and address shared challenges.
In sum, a radical reimagining of disasters is not just a theoretical endeavor but a practical and ethical imperative. We should offer a vision of a Latin America where disasters are not merely moments of crisis but opportunities for positive social change. By placing justice, equity, and sustainability at the forefront of our response to disasters, we can pave the way for a future where all communities thrive, regardless of their history or circumstances.