Date of Award
2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Dean, Erin
Area of Concentration
Environmental Studies
Abstract
Exploitation and pollution of the environment has led some to search for a better way to protect the environment in law. In its current form, the majority of Western environmental policy only considers human interests. This shortcoming has been confronted in a few notable cases around the world where law has granted nature itself with “all the rights, powers, duties, and liabilities of a legal person.” Synthesizing philosophical, historical, ethnographic, and legal sources, this thesis examines how the “rights of nature” movement provides an avenue for decolonization and the legitimization of indigenous worldviews in mainstream policy. Two New Zealand examples are looked at in depth to draw out the complexities of their formation and generate thought on global indigenous rights and environmental policy.
Recommended Citation
Kelly, Sarah, "RESETTING THE CONNECTION: LEGAL PERSONHOOD AND DECOLONIZATION IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND" (2019). Theses & ETDs. 5727.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5727