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Roots of Resistance - Resistance strategies against neoliberal agricultural policies in rural Costa Rica

Rosén Sundström, Tuva LU (2025) STVK04 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
Costa Rica is often regarded as a role model among Latin American countries,
with a relatively high level of social development and education. However, just
like many other countries in this region, it has enacted far-reaching neoliberal
policies since the 1980s, and many of these have negatively affected rural workers
in the agricultural sector. This thesis explores how people in rural areas in Costa
Rica have developed resistance strategies against the socioeconomic pressures
created by neoliberal agricultural policies. Based on interviews conducted in
Costa Rica, it investigates different types of resistance: Everyday resistance is
resistance acts that are non-organized and often individually conducted.
Organized resistance is... (More)
Costa Rica is often regarded as a role model among Latin American countries,
with a relatively high level of social development and education. However, just
like many other countries in this region, it has enacted far-reaching neoliberal
policies since the 1980s, and many of these have negatively affected rural workers
in the agricultural sector. This thesis explores how people in rural areas in Costa
Rica have developed resistance strategies against the socioeconomic pressures
created by neoliberal agricultural policies. Based on interviews conducted in
Costa Rica, it investigates different types of resistance: Everyday resistance is
resistance acts that are non-organized and often individually conducted.
Organized resistance is characterized by a shared purpose and commitment and
carried out collectively. Since rural women have been disproportionately
negatively affected by neoliberal policies and, according to previous research,
have had a key role in developing resilience strategies, this thesis pays particular
attention to the role of women when studying resistance. The analysis shows that
the two different forms of resistance are present, and that physical acts are often
underpinned by identity and ideology-based motives. Women are seen as being
more inclined to organize and participate in collective resistance and less
individualistic than men. (Less)
Popular Abstract (Spanish)
Costa Rica es conocida como un ejemplo a seguir en América Latina, teniendo
una educación y un desarrollo social relativamente alto. A pesar de esos factores,
como en muchos países de la región, ha experimentado desde los años ochenta
políticas neoliberales expansionistas. Esto ha afectado de forma negativa a
trabajadores rurales en el sector agrario. En esta tesis se explora como las
personas en las áreas rurales de Costa Rica han desarrollado estrategias de
resistencia en contra de presiones socio económicas creadas por las políticas
neoliberales agrarias. Basado en entrevistas realizadas en Costa Rica, se analizan
diferentes tipos de resistencias. La primera, la resistencia diaria que es la no
organizada, y en su mayoría... (More)
Costa Rica es conocida como un ejemplo a seguir en América Latina, teniendo
una educación y un desarrollo social relativamente alto. A pesar de esos factores,
como en muchos países de la región, ha experimentado desde los años ochenta
políticas neoliberales expansionistas. Esto ha afectado de forma negativa a
trabajadores rurales en el sector agrario. En esta tesis se explora como las
personas en las áreas rurales de Costa Rica han desarrollado estrategias de
resistencia en contra de presiones socio económicas creadas por las políticas
neoliberales agrarias. Basado en entrevistas realizadas en Costa Rica, se analizan
diferentes tipos de resistencias. La primera, la resistencia diaria que es la no
organizada, y en su mayoría realizada individualmente. La segunda, la resistencia
organizada, que se caracteriza por propósitos compartidos y compromisos, y son
llevadas a cabo por colectividades. Las mujeres en zonas rurales han sido
afectadas negativamente en gran parte por las políticas neoliberal, y de acuerdo a
investigaciones previas han tenido un rol esencial del desarrollo de las estrategias
de las resistencias Esta tesis se enfoca particularmente en el rol de las mujeres
cuando se analiza la resistencia, El estudio refleja que las dos formas de
resistencia son actuales y que los actos presenciales son generalmente apoyados
por motivos de identidad e ideología. Las mujeres se aprecian como más
inclinadas a organizar y participar en resistencia colectiva y menos individualistas
que los hombres. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Rosén Sundström, Tuva LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK04 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Everyday resistance, organized resistance, neoliberal policies, Costa Rica, gender, Minor Field Study, MFS
language
English
id
9210246
date added to LUP
2025-09-10 15:55:50
date last changed
2025-09-10 15:55:50
@misc{9210246,
  abstract     = {{Costa Rica is often regarded as a role model among Latin American countries,
with a relatively high level of social development and education. However, just
like many other countries in this region, it has enacted far-reaching neoliberal
policies since the 1980s, and many of these have negatively affected rural workers
in the agricultural sector. This thesis explores how people in rural areas in Costa
Rica have developed resistance strategies against the socioeconomic pressures
created by neoliberal agricultural policies. Based on interviews conducted in
Costa Rica, it investigates different types of resistance: Everyday resistance is
resistance acts that are non-organized and often individually conducted.
Organized resistance is characterized by a shared purpose and commitment and
carried out collectively. Since rural women have been disproportionately
negatively affected by neoliberal policies and, according to previous research,
have had a key role in developing resilience strategies, this thesis pays particular
attention to the role of women when studying resistance. The analysis shows that
the two different forms of resistance are present, and that physical acts are often
underpinned by identity and ideology-based motives. Women are seen as being
more inclined to organize and participate in collective resistance and less
individualistic than men.}},
  author       = {{Rosén Sundström, Tuva}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Roots of Resistance - Resistance strategies against neoliberal agricultural policies in rural Costa Rica}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}