Skip to content

The ‘Karen Consensus’, Ethnic Politics and Resource-Use Legitimacy in Northern Thailand

Recent Thai research on Karen ethnicity and resource management places significant emphasis on rotational shifting cultivation (rai mun wian) . A broad consensus has emerged that this is a relatively sustainable, ecologically friendly and subsistence-oriented form of agriculture that is threatened by the recent intrusion of the state and the market. This paper argues that the portrayals encompassed by this 'Karen consensus' rely on overly selective accounts of Karen economy and, in particular, play down the historical importance of long-term agricultural intensification and commercial exchange. While recognizing the importance of establishing the legitimacy of upland communities in a context of tenure insecurity and resource conflict, the paper argues that the 'limited legitimacy' of the 'Karen consensus' runs the risk of undermining Karen claims for a greater share of natural resources and development assistance.

Data Resources (1)

Data Resource Preview - The ‘Karen Consensus’, Ethnic Politics and Resource-Use Legitimacy in Northern Thailand

Additional Info

Field Value
Document type Reports, journal articles, and research papers (including theses and dissertations)
Language of document
  • English
Topics
  • Development and assistance for ethnic minorities and indigenous people
  • Ethnic minorities and indigenous people
  • Ethnic minorities and indigenous people policy and rights
  • Forest policy and administration
  • Logging and timber
Geographic area (spatial range)
  • Thailand
Copyright Yes
Access and use constraints

© 2001 Taylor & Francis Ltd Permission requested.

Version / Edition N/A
License CC-BY-3.0-IGO
Author (individual) Andrew Walker, Australian National University
ISSN number 1469-2953
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Publication date 2011
Pagination 18
Keywords V4MF,FLEGT,Karen
Date uploaded July 12, 2018, 21:40 (UTC)
Date modified October 23, 2018, 09:33 (UTC)