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1995 - 19962

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    Foxton Loop conflict : an investigation of nature : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Geography at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1996) Low, Mark
    This thesis examines the social construction of nature. The focus of this thesis is on how conflict can arise from different social constructions of the same 'natural' phenomenon. A 'constrained constructivist' approach is used through which it is argued that in addition to people's constructions of nature, nature retains an inherent physicality. Social constructions of nature are explored through the examination of the Foxton Loop, a cutoff meander bend on the Manawatu River. The Save the Foxton River Association contested the changes to the Loop through a petition to Parliament in 1986. They sought to re-establish a flow through the Loop to benefit Foxton and the greater Manawatu region. The way in which the two primary groups, the Manawatu Catchment Board and Save the Foxton River Association constructed the river environment is discussed, and how these constructions were used to legitimate their positions within the conflict is highlighted. Discourse analysis of key texts and semi-structured interviews is used to determine how nature was constructed. The Save the Foxton River Association drew from a Judeo-Christian perspective, which identified 'right' and 'wrong' nature, and a conventional Western discourse which understood nature primarily as a resource. The Manawatu Catchment Board also utilised this latter perspective, but within the context of a scientific worldview that upheld them as the 'managers' of the river environment for the good of the Manawatu Region. The Manawatu Catchment Board and Save the Foxton River Association differed in their interpretations of 'true' nature, although a technocentric worldview of nature underlined both of their arguments regarding the Loop. These technocentric ideas were used in opposition to each other. It is argued each of these perspectives were inscribed with differing amounts of power which defined their influence in the debate. The thesis concludes with the suggestion that a balance between a constructionist viewpoint and one that acknowledges the inherent physicality of nature may assist in creating an approach to nature which ensures its intrinsic value is not threatened.
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    Coping with floods : the experience of rural women in Bangladesh : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1995) Begum, Mahbuba; Begum, Mahbuba
    This study focuses on how rural women in Bangladesh, who live in the poorest sector of one of the poorest countries in the world, cope with floods. It seeks to explain the principal factors structuring their responses. It addresses several related questions: how do women perceive and experience floods? What problems do they face and how do they respond to them? Arc they merely the passive victims of floods or do they play an active role in protecting their households? Do all women use the same coping strategies? Are the major parameters of rural society changed as a consequence of the way in which women cope with floods? In responding to these questions a sociological perspective is adopted but not to the exclusion of other approaches. However, it is the social and sociological aspects of the phenomena being explored which are of most concern to the author. The occurrence of floods in Bangladesh is as old as its history but over the last 40 years (1954-1995) the problem has become greatly aggravated and is now one of the main concerns of most rural households, life in which is precarious even in non-flood conditions. These problems affect women more severely than men because of the wider range of responsibilities that they have for their households and the fact that those responsibilities keep them tied to their households more strictly and more effectively than those of male members. Those responsibilities include food processing and cooking, cleaning, collecting water and fuel, bearing and rearing children, looking after livestock and income generation, all of which become much more difficult to perform under flood conditions. Despite this heavy burden, which women bear in extremely difficult circumstances, they demonstrate considerable fortitude and ingenuity in their attempts to maintain the livelihoods of their households. Explanation of these phenomena is sought in the economic, cultural and political structure of the country. Factors stressed in this study are the male-dominated structures of a predominantly conservative and Muslim society; the dominance of parda in the sub-culture of women and the position of women within the socio-economic context of their households.