Reducing violence against defenders of the Amazon: a political economy approach
Written by TPP Principal Niki Palmer, this Working Paper examines why violence against environmental defenders in Brazil’s Amazon remains so widespread, despite laws meant to protect them. It shows that the issue is driven not only by political and economic interests in land and resource extraction, but also by competing ideas about what the Amazon represents.
For some, the Amazon is a vital global ecosystem; for others, a cultural homeland; and for many, a frontier of opportunity. These conflicting narratives shape behaviour, deepen polarisation and help explain why land-grabbing and violence often go unpunished.
The paper sets out three practical pathways that could shift incentives and improve protections:
- Strengthening the voice and influence of defenders
- Increasing the economic value placed on conservation, and
- Expanding international financing for forest protection.
It offers a clear, grounded analysis for readers looking to understand the dynamics driving violence in the Amazon and what might realistically change them.
Two decades of Thinking and Working Politically in Nigeria
This blog sets out how our team of Nigeria experts helps development partners navigate Nigeria's political economy, from shaping programme design to providing just-in-time analysis during implementation. Read about our work across governance, education, climate, agriculture and conflict, and why our grounded, advisory approach matters more than ever as development budgets tighten.
New guidance on stakeholder analysis and network mapping
In collaboration with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Thinking and Working Politically Community of Practice, TPP Director Laure-Hélène Piron and TPP Principal Wilfred Mwamba have prepared a guidance note on how to undertake a dynamic stakeholder analysis and political network mapping, both of which can be used to support international cooperation and development partnerships.
Why energy security starts in the kitchen
With global energy markets reeling from geopolitical chaos, Indonesia’s USD 4.7 billion liquid petroleum gas subsidy is no longer just a fiscal burden but a severe economic vulnerability. In this blog (which was published as an Op-Ed for Jakarta Post), TPP Director Neil McCulloch argues that the government must finally grasp the nettle of subsidy reform.