Political Ecology

This theory or approach primarily helps us understand the environment through the lens of social, economic, and, most importantly, political factors. It proposes that not all environmental change happens naturally; politics also shapes the environment by framing policies, deciding the distribution of resources, and controlling it. 

Example: Waste: Political factors—rules of the state on the production of waste. 
                          Economics: Production of industrial waste with a capitalist motive.
                           Social: Daily production of waste in households due to consumption. 

Politics includes different power dynamics, which get to decide who owns what, what resources they get, and how much they should consume. In countries like Bhutan, resources like water for fieldwork are often distributed unequally; either a person with larger land gets access to resources or a person with power (historically respected). 

In modern society, the government has proposed various policies adapted from the Western world, which have a larger impact on indigenous society and the environment. 
For example, government policies like non-violence to wildlife creatures do help save endangered species, but farmers are the ones losing out in return. The government doesn't compensate farmers for what farmers lose due to the harm caused by these creatures. 





In Dagana, the main income source was tangerines, but they faced a loss due to pests and untimely rainfall. This was later reported to the government; the community was provided with pesticides and chemical fertilizers to solve the issue. However, the decision made by the government only worsened their situation. This shows how plans of government may lead to deterioration due to a lack of research-based policies.
 To conclude, this theory suggests that an understanding of political decisions and aspects is vital in addressing environmental changes. 

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