"Civilizing" resource investments and extractivism : societal negotiations and the role of law

Attempts to "civilize" the exploitation of natural and mineral resources are globally promoted. The body of rules and regulations -often the outcome of prolonged socio-environmental and political struggles- is impressive. However, the outcomes of their implementation are much less convincing. The chapters in this book show how international law is curtailing national and local regulation, while existing legislation is often watered-down, circumvented or reinterpreted with severe environmental, health and socio-economic impacts, particularly in the "global south".