TY - JOUR
T1 - Waste, Power, and Hegemony
T2 - A Critical Analysis of the Wastescape of Sri Lanka
AU - Jayasinghe, Randika
AU - Azariadis, Michael
AU - Baillie, Caroline
PY - 2019/6/1
Y1 - 2019/6/1
N2 - This article explores the power dynamics that shape the wastescape of Sri Lanka. Using theories of power and hegemony, we investigate how the discourses of expert knowledge and formal waste management processes marginalize the discourses and practices of the informal waste sector. By analyzing these discourses and practices, we demonstrate how legitimate and authoritative knowledge is constructed. The analysis uncovered five themes that frame the dominant model of waste management in Sri Lanka: (a) the discourse of development, (b) expert systems, (c) political decision-making, (d) coercion and alienation, and (e) removal of waste. We demonstrate that small-scale informal waste management can be both a solution to Sri Lanka’s waste problem and a much needed income source for the poor. Thus, instead of alienation, coercion, and exclusion, informal waste workers should be recognized as valuable contributors of the urban wastescape to create a sustainable wastescape in the country.
AB - This article explores the power dynamics that shape the wastescape of Sri Lanka. Using theories of power and hegemony, we investigate how the discourses of expert knowledge and formal waste management processes marginalize the discourses and practices of the informal waste sector. By analyzing these discourses and practices, we demonstrate how legitimate and authoritative knowledge is constructed. The analysis uncovered five themes that frame the dominant model of waste management in Sri Lanka: (a) the discourse of development, (b) expert systems, (c) political decision-making, (d) coercion and alienation, and (e) removal of waste. We demonstrate that small-scale informal waste management can be both a solution to Sri Lanka’s waste problem and a much needed income source for the poor. Thus, instead of alienation, coercion, and exclusion, informal waste workers should be recognized as valuable contributors of the urban wastescape to create a sustainable wastescape in the country.
KW - informal sector
KW - power
KW - recycling
KW - Sri Lanka
KW - waste
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85059897245&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1070496518821722
DO - 10.1177/1070496518821722
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85059897245
SN - 1070-4965
VL - 28
SP - 173
EP - 195
JO - Journal of Environment and Development
JF - Journal of Environment and Development
IS - 2
ER -
