Accumulation by Dispossession

Neoliberal Loans and BITs Conditioning Bolivia and South Africa to Privatize Water

Abstract

This paper reviews the negative socioeconomic consequences of neoliberal debt repayment loan policies and bilateral investment treaties (BITs) proceeding financial downfalls in postcolonial nations. Amidst this era of globalization, many corporations residing in Western, capital exporting nations have taken advantage of flexible borders and financially weakened nations to capitalize on natural resources, such as water. In tandem, as climate change strengthens its grip on scarce natural resources in many developing nations, so do western corporations privatizing dwindling supplies in the face of high demand.