western conservation as an accidental vector for capitalism

230 Pages·2017·1.92 MB·English

WESTERN CONSERVATION AS AN ACCIDENTAL VECTOR FOR CAPITALISM: A
SOCIOECONOMIC CROSS-NATIONAL COMPARISON OF IRRAWADDY
DOLPHIN CONSERVATION PROJECTS

by

SIERRA MICHELLE DEUTSCH

A DISSERTATION

Presented to the Environmental Studies Program
and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy

June 2017
DISSERTATION APPROVAL PAGE

Student: Sierra Michelle Deutsch

Title: Western Conservation as an Accidental Vector for Capitalism: A
Socioeconomic Cross-National Comparison of Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation
Projects

This dissertation has been accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Environmental Studies
Program by:

Richard York Chairperson
Jocelyn Hollander Core Member
Jill Harrison Core Member
Ryan Light Core Member
Lamia Karim Institutional Representative

and

Scott L. Pratt Dean of the Graduate School

Original approval signatures are on file with the University of Oregon Graduate
School.

Degree awarded June 2017

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© 2017 Sierra Michelle Deutsch

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DISSERTATION ABSTRACT

Sierra Michelle Deutsch

Doctor of Philosophy

Environmental Studies Program

June 2017

Title: Western Conservation as an Accidental Vector for Capitalism: A
Socioeconomic Cross-National Comparison of Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation
Projects

As sites of global environmental degradation continue to emerge and pose
significant threats to life on Earth, the world's natural resource managers persist in
attempts to mitigate and reverse this degradation. While approaches to
conservation have evolved over the years to include locals in the policy-making
process, the experiences of those policies by locals - once in place - are often
overlooked.
This dissertation examines the socioeconomic and political changes
associated with conservation projects from the perspectives and experiences of the
people most affected by these projects. Through 128 individual interviews, 25 focus
group discussions, and participant observation, I compare two approaches to
Irrawaddy dolphin conservation: one in Myanmar that focuses on preservation of
livelihoods and the other in Cambodia that focuses on economic development. I
endeavor to bring local experiences and perceptions of these projects to the
forefront to examine their impacts on livelihoods and to help identify potential gaps
in policy intentions and effects. I also draw on political ecology theory to assess and
critique the relationship of capitalism to international conservation.
After explaining the unique issues and barriers associated with this project, I
lay out the direct socioeconomic and ecological effects of each conservation project
by comparing participant experiences and perceptions of the projects with those of
conservation officials. I then compare conservation projects to examine the indirect
effects of each approach. I trace the pathway of the capitalist conception of nature as
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commodities upward from 'developed' countries to its global institutionalization
through the process of eco-governmentality and then downward to 'developing'
countries through the delivery system of NGO governmentality. I explain how
Myanmar blocked this process while Cambodia embraced it and attribute the
apparent shift from a 'communal ideology' to a 'consumerist ideology' in Cambodia,
and lack of such a shift in Myanmar, to these opposing tactics. I then focus on the
capitalist approach to conservation in Cambodia and show how it has led to the
subsequent exacerbation of environmental and social problems it intended to fix.
Lastly, I offer specific recommendations for each project, as well for international
conservation in general, based on findings.

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CURRICULUM VITAE

NAME OF AUTHOR: Sierra Michelle Deutsch

GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED:

University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA

DEGREES AWARDED:

Doctor of Philosophy, Environmental Sciences, Studies, and Policy, 2017,
University of Oregon
Master of Arts, Sociology, 2017, University of Oregon
Graduate Certificate, Marine Resource Management, 2013, Oregon State
University
Master of Science, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University
Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology/Zoology, Humboldt State University

AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST:

Political Ecology
Environmental Sociology
Environmental Justice
Social Movements
Globalization and Development
International and Indigenous Issues
Marine Biology
Marine Resource Management
Human Dimensions in Marine Conservation
Wildlife Policy and Law

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Graduate Teaching Fellow, University of Oregon, 2010-2014 & 2016-2017

Science Literacy Program Graduate Fellow, University of Oregon, 2014 &
2016

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Project Co-Manager with Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA)-Nepal; Earthbag
home building, 2015

Volunteer teacher, Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Education High School of
Myanmar, 2014-2015

Lead Protected Species Observer/Protected Species Observer, LGL Alaska
Research Associates, Inc. and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation,
Summers of 2012, 2013, & 2015

Platform Observer, National Marine Fisheries Service and National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, 2009-2011

Teaching Assistant, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2007-2008

Camp Coordinator/Instructor, Sea Camp at Texas A&M University at
Galveston, Summers of 2006, 2007, & 2008

Field Staff, New Zealand Dolphins Project, Earthwatch Institute, 2007

Research Assistant, Sperm Whale Seismic Study (SWSS), Galveston, 2004-
2007

Research Technician, Right whale aerial monitoring project, Wildlife Trust,
2004-2005

Biological Technician; North Coast Survey (NCS), Gray Whale Photo-
Identification Project, and Gray Whale Ecology and Distribution Project,
Marine Mammal Education and Research Program (MMERP), Humboldt
State University, 2000-2003

Research Technician, Pinniped-Salmonid Project, Marine Mammal Education
and Research Program (MMERP) and National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS), 2002-2003

GRANTS, AWARDS, AND HONORS:

Carolyn M. Stokes Memorial Scholarship, University of Oregon, 2016-2017

The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation Travel and Research Grant,
University of Oregon, 2011, 2014, & 2017

Small Grant, Sociology Department, University of Oregon, 2014, 2015, & 2016

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Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) Research Award, Tokyo
Foundation, 2015

SYLFF Graduate Fellowship for International Research, Tokyo Foundation,
Oregon University System (OUS), 2014-2015

Southeast Asian Studies Award, Graduate School, University of Oregon, 2014

The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation Scholarship, University of Oregon,
2010-2011, 2012-2013, & 2017

Sociology Department Travel Grant, University of Oregon, 2011

Erma Lee and Luke Mooney Graduate Student Travel Grant, Texas A&M
University, 2006 & 2007

Graduate Program Enhancement Fund, Texas A&M University, 2006 & 2007

Marine Biology Department Grant, Texas A&M University, 2005, 2006, &
2007

Research and Graduate Studies Department Grant, Texas A&M University,
2007

International Education Study Grant, Texas A&M University, 2007

Merit Fellowship, Office of Graduate Studies, Texas A&M University, 2005-
2006

PUBLICATIONS:

Deutsch, Sierra, 2017. "The Struggle of a Marginalized Community for Ethnic
Renewal: The Whale Hunters of Neah Bay." Environmental Sociology
Online, DOI: 10.1080/23251042.2017.1298183

Deutsch, Sierra, 2015. "The Socioeconomic Dimension of Irrawaddy Dolphin
Conservation." In Voices from the Sylff Community, The Tokyo
Foundation. Available from:
http://www.tokyofoundation.org/sylff/16088

Deutsch, Sierra, Heidi Pearson, and Bernd Würsig. 2014. "Development of
Leaps in Dusky Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) Calves." Behaviour
151 (11): 1555-1577.

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Weir, Jody, Sierra Deutsch, and Heidi Pearson. 2009. "Dusky Dolphin Calf
Rearing." In Dusky Dolphins: Master Acrobats off Different Shores. B.
Würsig and M. Würsig Eds. Academic/Elsevier Press.

Deutsch, S., 2008. "Behavioral Development of Dusky Dolphins." Master's
thesis. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am sincerely grateful to the 288 participants, without whom this project
would not have been possible, who put their trust in me and took the time to speak
with me. I'm also deeply appreciative for my committee members who offered
support and invaluable advice throughout the research and writing process. I
especially thank my committee chair Richard York for his patience and assistance as
I navigated my way through the planning, transcription, translation, coding, and
writing processes. I also thank Jocelyn Hollander, Jill Harrison, Ryan Light, and
Lamia Karim for their advice before leaving for the field, as well as on issues I
encountered in the field and during the writing process. Thanks also go to my
interpreters, who not only assisted in interpretation, but in organizing
transportation and locating participants, as well as offering advice. Additional
thanks go to my transcribers and the translators who translated the transcriptions.
I'm also grateful to Mulung Hsu and Marshall Kramer for their incredible advice and
assistance while planning the Myanmar portion of my field research.
Several individuals were vital in helping me stay grounded and supporting
me throughout this project. I especially thank my partner Randy Tullous for his
emotional support, encouragement, and companionship through each step in this
process. I also deeply appreciate the love and support of my mom Carol and
stepfather Tom and their indelible belief in me. I also thank my family Todd, Jen,
Brett, my dad Doug, and stepmother Dee for their love and support. Many friends
also supported and inspired me throughout this process, particularly the 'Sunday
dinner crew,' and I will never forget the bonds we have formed in this chaotic and
exciting time in our lives.
I am also grateful to the many named and unnamed individuals who have
inspired me and contributed to my knowledge through personal interactions and
through helpful and insightful publications. Finally, I thank the several funders of
this dissertation, including the Tokyo Foundation, the UO Graduate School, Richard
York, The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation, and the UO Sociology Department.

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