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Developmental Extraction and the Global Energy Transition: Lessons from South America’s Lithium Triangle

Author

Listed:
  • Gonzalez Lucas I.

    (62873 Universidad Nacional de San Martin Escuela de Politica y Gobierno , San Martin, Argentina)

  • Snyder Richard

    (Political Science, Brown University, Providence, USA)

  • Orihuela José Carlos

    (PUCP, Lima, Peru)

Abstract

Has the global energy transition opened new opportunities for natural resource extraction to foster development? To address this question we propose the concept “developmental extraction” (DE), an intermediate option between neoliberal and anti-extraction. For proponents of DE, mining can be a development-enhancing activity that triggers virtuous economic linkages. Focusing on South America’s Lithium Triangle countries (Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile), we find that the results of DE are mixed, with modest advances in fostering developmental linkages at the local level coupled with uneven outcomes at translocal scales. To explain the contrasting outcomes of DE projects, we offer a multilevel framework that highlights political and territorial challenges of forging developmental linkages. The fortunes of DE depend on the distribution of bargaining power among states, mining companies, and communities and, in turn, on the results of local and translocal negotiations over the terms of extraction.

Suggested Citation

  • Gonzalez Lucas I. & Snyder Richard & Orihuela José Carlos, 2025. "Developmental Extraction and the Global Energy Transition: Lessons from South America’s Lithium Triangle," Journal of Globalization and Development, De Gruyter, vol. 16(2), pages 189-216.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:globdv:v:16:y:2025:i:2:p:189-216:n:1004
    DOI: 10.1515/jgd-2024-0093
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