Reprimarization: Implications for the Environment and Development in Latin America: the cases of Argentina and Brazil

There has been a tendency throughout Latin America, in recent decades of the expansion of activities associated with reprimarization. The latter refers to all activities of extractivism, such as mining and petroleum, as well as agricultural activities, such as cattle and soy. These are linked to the strong growth of the commodities markets and the amazing growth of China. This paper examines the implications for both the environment and development, in general, and considers the currently active development trajectories critically and presents alternative trajectories of development for the region. In examining the shift to reprimarization in Latin America there are a range of key impacts on the environment. The following issues are very much connected to the shifts toward reprimarization: (1) deforestation of the Amazon Rain Forest linked to, lumber, cattle and soy; (2) air, water, and soil pollution linked to the use of pesticides, and mining; (3) soil erosion as a result of mining and soy. There are also major socio-environmental issues around the issue of hydroelectric dams, strongly tied to mining. Many progressives are calling into question this extractivist model of development. Beyond the environment, major concerns are with respect to industry, wages, informal work, and the perennial problem of being just primary goods providers to the first world, rather than seeking a means by which a serious alternative development trajectory could be pursued. JEL: O13, O14, O19