Dispersed Destinies. Bio-politics after Deepwater Horizon

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Petro-state politics

2.1 Shrimp and petroleum: An ambiguous relationship

2.2 Petro-state citizens

2.3 The deregulation of industry practices

3. Creating dispersed destinies

3.1 An illegitimate illness

3.2 Bio-politics between pastoral power and neoliberal governmentality

3.3 Public portrayal and personal impacts

3.4 Biological citizenship and the human right to health

4. Conclusions

Research Objectives and Core Themes

This thesis examines how communities in South-East Louisiana navigate the uncertainty, health risks, and power imbalances resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. It investigates the socio-economic and political mechanisms that render the suffering of local populations invisible while prioritizing industrial interests, and analyzes how citizens contest these power structures to demand recognition and health justice.

• The socio-political dynamics of a petro-state and its impact on citizen welfare.
• The ambiguity of health crises and the "illegitimacy" of illnesses caused by chemical exposure.
• The role of "pastoral power" versus neoliberal governmentality in disaster management.
• The construction of "biological citizenship" as a form of resistance for marginalized communities.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on the health crisis following the Deepwater Horizon spill, emphasizing the hidden impacts of oil and chemical dispersants on Gulf coast residents.

2. Petro-state politics: Analyzes Louisiana’s unique dependency on the oil industry and the resulting socio-economic structures that disadvantage local populations.

3. Creating dispersed destinies: Investigates the lived experience of health uncertainty, the failure of state response mechanisms, and the emergence of biological citizenship as a counter-strategy.

4. Conclusions: Reflects on the ongoing struggle for recognition and redress, highlighting the necessity for a paradigm shift in how environmental health and industrial accountability are addressed.

Keywords

Deepwater Horizon, Petro-state, Bio-politics, Neoliberal governmentality, Chemical exposure, Structural violence, Biological citizenship, Gulf of Mexico, Environmental health, Public health crisis, Industrial regulation, Non-knowledge, Louisiana, Counter-expertise, Social injustice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this research?

The work investigates the health and socio-economic consequences of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on residents of the Gulf coast, specifically focusing on how they cope with chemical exposure.

What are the central themes discussed?

Core themes include the influence of petro-state politics, the role of neoliberal governmentality in shaping disaster responses, and the emergence of biological citizenship among those affected.

What is the main research question?

The study asks how people manage the suffering and uncertainty of chemical exposure, how they perceive corporate and state power, and how they utilize their own resources to contest these structures for recognition.

Which methodology does the author employ?

The research is based on an ethnographic approach, involving participant observation, interviews with affected residents, experts, and activists, and the analysis of social/political discourses.

What is covered in the main body of the work?

It covers the political economy of Louisiana, the "illegitimacy" of health symptoms linked to the spill, the limitations of state-led medical monitoring, and the struggles for legal and scientific redress.

Which keywords best characterize this work?

Key terms include biological citizenship, structural violence, bio-politics, environmental health, and petro-state dynamics.

How does the author define the "petro-state" context in Louisiana?

The author argues that while Louisiana doesn't technically qualify as a petro-state, it exhibits "resource curse" characteristics, where high reliance on oil revenues leads to systemic neglect of local health, education, and infrastructure.

What is the significance of the "non-knowledge" concept in this thesis?

The author argues that "non-knowledge" regarding chemical exposure is used by state and corporate actors to re-categorize symptoms into existing medical categories, effectively rendering the actual health crisis invisible.

What specific role did activists play in this research?

Activists and local groups acted as bridges between the author and affected individuals, challenging official narratives and helping to produce counter-expertise to contest the lack of recognition for their health issues.