Placing the Environment in Migration: Environment, Economy, and Power in Ghana's Central Region

• DOI: 10.1068/a3754
• Publication Date: 2005-05-03T10:30:43Z
• Authors: Edward R Carr
• Keywords: Environmental change

This paper examines the role of environmental change as a driver migration, central concern areas inquiry ranging from Human Dimensions Global Change research to population geography and development studies. Although much literature on environment in migration reflects general awareness that factors are but one suite influences shaping decisionmaking, framework within which place social, economic, issues with regard particular decisions is absent this literature. Drawing upon recent contributions political ecological concerns for access control over resources, I present placing such founded Foucauldian conceptualization power. treats environment, economy, society both products productive social differentiation, instrumental modes power, resistance. These forms shape actors' understanding negotiation their contexts, therefore decisionmaking. illustrate application through example three villages Ghana's Central Region, where rural economic changes appear have driven complex pattern out-migration past thirty-five years. shows ways becomes inseparable local perceptions economy politics manifestations