Inequality and the Exploitation of Nature in Argentina

Abstract

Inequality is currently a major social concern. As a result, scientific inquiry has generated numerous theoretical and methodological debates to deepen the understanding of how inequalities are reproduced. One such shift is the move from an income-centered approach to one that focuses on wealth, that is, assets. Within this perspective, land—and natural resources in general—are viewed as assets similar to other goods, overlooking their role as generators of extraordinary income (land rent). The general purpose of this paper is to analyze the connection between inequality and the exploitation of nature from the standpoint of land rent. In doing so, we aim to contribute to studies on inequality and its link to so-called extractivism. We argue that natural resources are not only assets that accumulate wealth but also generate extraordinary rents (higher income). Our conclusions show that development models based on the exploitation of nature, while potentially mitigating income inequality, lead to greater wealth inequality.