Stuck in between.

Author(s)

Gertrude Saxinger, Natalia Krasnoshtanova, Gertraud Illmeier

Abstract

Verkhnemarkovo is a small Siberian town located on an oil field in Russia’s Irkutskaia oblast’ that has long been plagued by bad roads and limited mobility. Here we explore the relationship between CSR and the wellbeing of individuals and communities, with a focus on transport and mobility infrastructure. We argue that contemporary life in Verkhnemarkovo is characterized by so-called “infrastructural violence,” resulting from a lack of state support (or false promises made by the state) relating to good transport infrastructure; power disparities in decision-making about new projects; and inequity and discrimination in mobility-related opportunities. This chapter discusses how the community is left in a state of limbo between the state and the oil companies, who donate voluntarily, if at all. We conclude that the current system cannot be considered to be supporting socio-economic or ecological sustainability or sustainable wellbeing for individuals or communities.

Organisation(s)

Department of Political Science, Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology

External organisation(s)

Universität Bern, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Austrian Polar Research Institute (APRI)

Pages

378-392

No. of pages

15

DOI

https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429354663-31

Publication date

01-2023

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

504009 Ethnology, 507010 Political geography

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Social Sciences

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/1b296a27-feab-42b2-a958-d6983beefc0d