Dispossession in the Anthropocene: Impacts on Rights of Rural Communities
Dolunay Çörek Akyıldız*
The Anthropocene era marks a critical period characterized by intensified human impact on natural systems and the rapid transformation of ecosystems. One of the most significant outcomes of this era is the acceleration of large-scale dispossession processes that particularly affect rural communities. The transfer of agricultural lands, water resources, and forests to facilitate capital accumulation and development projects deeply impacts the social, economic, and environmental fabric of these communities.
This study employs a literature review methodology to examine the effects of dispossession in the Anthropocene, with a particular focus on the rights of rural communities. Practices such as land grabbing, industrial agriculture, and infrastructure development not only disrupt traditional farming practices but also threaten the rights of rural populations, exacerbating social inequalities and increasing human rights violations. Analyzing the tension between international human rights and environmental law, the research explores the implications for rural communities' rights from a legal sociology perspective. It highlights the resistance strategies employed by these communities, including grassroots movements and sustainable agricultural practices, which advocate for social justice.
By grounding the discussion in real-world examples, this study aims to contribute to the discourse on dispossession and rural rights, proposing recommendations for redefining and protecting these rights in the Anthropocene. Ultimately, it seeks to amplify the voices of rural communities in the international arena, emphasizing the need for equitable resource management and environmental governance.
Keywords: Anthropocene, dispossession, rights of rural communities, sustainability.
* PhD Candidate and Res. Ass. Galatasaray University, Faculty of Law and Guest Researcher in Leiden University, Van Vollenhoven Instıtute, Turkey-Netherlands, ORCID: 0000-0003-1974-7297.