Natural resource use in developing countries

Shows the role of radical critique in exposing the depredations of world capitalism upon natural resources, upon those who work them, and upon those whose livelihoods have been taken away. However, a more realistic strategy for a transition to socialism is required, one that recognizes the retrogressive and progressive elements of capitalism. It is argued that if a particular capitalist enterprise fulfils the criteria of increasing production, socializes labour, encourages unionization and training, and provides funds for development, there are good reasons for supporting it in the absence of sustainable socialist alternatives. Four preconditions for the use of natural resources are suggested: positive identification, the necessary technical expertise, political control of the natural resource, and the condition of the relative utility of the natural resource to other possible substitutes. Concludes with discussion of the problems and possibilities of improving the preconditions for socialism in each of these preconditions of resource use.