Strategizing Bhopal: motives and manipulation in response to an industrial disaster

Abstract

This thesis examines the political and economic motives behind the responses of the Indian Government and nongovernmental organizations to the Union Carbide chemical disaster that occurred on December 3, 1984 in Bhopal India. Using F. G. Bailey's model of political interaction and competition as outlined in his book Stratagems and Spoils, three points are discussed regarding the Bhopal disaster and environmentalism in India. (1) Environmental activists in India so far have had minimal impact in the relief efforts for the victims of the tragedy or in shaping environmental policy at the state and national levels. (2) The rise of environmentalism on the international and national agendas has created new entrepreneurial opportunities for an emerging group of unemployed, educated professionals in India. (3) Contrary to popular belief, environmentalism in India is not strictly a grassroots movement. India's environmental movement includes a large proportion of educated middle class individuals. These individuals provide organizational and educational resources for nongovernmental organizations. In addition to these three points, India's environmental policy, is discussed along with an examination of the relationship between Hinduism and environmentalism. The events leading up to and surrounding the Bhopal disaster are outlined as well as the responses to the disaster from local, national, and international organizations, international government, and the chemical industry. This thesis shows that the responses of the government and the nongovernmental organizations to the Bhopal disaster were affected by a host of physical and social environmental factors. While both parties proclaimed that their highest priority was to provide relief and compensation for the victims, their actions indicated that other objectives, such as their continued existence, were given higher priority.