Bioökonomie in Argentinien und Malaysia Industrial upgrading im Agrarbereich als sozialökologisches Entwicklungsversprechen?

Justifi ed by the need for resource conservation and climate protection, the bioeconomy model aims to turn away from fossil energy and production regimes. Argentina and Malaysia have both adopted this approach. In both these semi-peripheral countries, the agricultural sector has succeeded in anchoring its interests in national bioeconomy agendas, which aim to transform the bioeconomy into a development strategy promising industrial, social, and environmental upgrading. By encouraging the processing of agricultural products (especially of soybeans and palm oil) and the development of industrial plants in rural areas, Argentina and Malaysia are promoting the adding of value and the creation of jobs. Compared to previous development strategies, this represents a shift that aims to overcome position of semi-peripheral countries as exporters of raw materials or partially processed agricultural goods. However, the critical debate in industrial sociology has shown that the assumption industrial upgrading would automatically lead to social upgrading has been proven wrong in the past. Based on the world systems and global commodity chain approach, this article shows that social upgrading through bioeconomy can hardly be expected in Argentina and Malaysia. If the chosen path is continued, neither the sustainability nor the social goals proclaimed by bioeconomy proponents are likely to be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]