An ethnographic examination of the history and social effects of conservation and development efforts in Papua New Guinea
Paige West Books
This author explores the intricate relationships between art, the commercial market, and collecting. Their work often delves into irony and social commentary, exposing the tensions and absurdities within the contemporary art world. Through innovative approaches, they challenge traditional notions of value and ownership in art. Their contributions prompt reflection on how artworks are created, appreciated, and preserved in today's society.




Exploring the intricate relationship between the environment and human societies, this book delves into how social structures, cultural practices, and economic systems influence environmental policies and sustainability efforts. It examines case studies from various regions, highlighting the impact of globalization, urbanization, and climate change on communities. The text emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative strategies in addressing environmental challenges, making it a crucial resource for understanding the dynamics of environmental sociology.
West looks at the process from which coffee is grown, gathered, sorted, shipped, and served from the highlands of Papua New Guinea to coffee shops in far away places. She shows how coffee becomes a commodity, the different forms of labor involved, and the way that coffee shapes the lives and understandings of those who grow, process, export, sell and consume coffee.
Dispossession and the Environment
- 216 pages
- 8 hours of reading
Paige West's searing study of Papua New Guinea reveals how a range of actors produce and reinforce inequalities in today's globalized world. She shows how racist rhetorics of representation underlie all uneven patterns of development and seeks a more robust understanding of the ideological work that capital requires for constant regeneration.