Environmental Scarcities, State Capacity, and Civil Violence

A follow up to an earlier Academy study titled “Environmental Change and Acute Conflict,” this project examined how state capacity influences governmental responses to environmental scarcities, and potential subsequent conflict, in developing countries. Focusing on case studies of India, China, Indonesia, and Malawi, project participants investigated the ability of these countries to marshal the necessary technical, financial, and political resources to adapt to what could be severe environmental stresses (the result of accelerating losses of water, topsoil, forests, and fisheries) in coming years. Project workshops were held in Delhi, Hong Kong, and Jakarta, and study participants conducted briefings for U.S. and Canadian government leaders, including officials from the White House, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the State and Defense departments.