A new State for a new green development model? The role of public enterprises in the lithium industry in Latin America
Authors
-
Sebastián Carrasco
Universidad San Sebastián
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0081-2909
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a progressive increase in global demand for lithium due to its use in energy storage batteries, driving up international prices of this mineral. Unlike previous natural resource booms, lithium holds the promise of green growth, being crucial for electromobility and climate change mitigation. The "lithium triangle," comprising Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia, hosts significant reserves of the mineral, driving green industrialization policies in the region. While economic policies in Latin America have been predominantly neoliberal, the lithium debate has shifted toward a sociotechnical approach, incorporating industrial policies. This article aims to comparatively analyze public lithium companies in Latin America, exploring their structures, contexts, and strategies for value aggregation. Specifically, progress is being made in developing an original typology proposal regarding public enterprises in the region, contributing to the understanding of a scarcely addressed phenomenon. Through this analysis, the aim is to deepen the understanding of the economic role of the state and industrial policy strategies in the region, providing a better comprehension of the various configurations of public policies in these contexts.
Keywords:
lithium , green growth, latin american policies, public enterprises, industrial strategyReferences
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