Paper short abstract:

We analyze predominant narratives related to lithium emerging from Europe/US and Bolivia. Despite their differences, these narratives share common universalizing assumptions that we seek to disrupt through attention to the particular relationalities enacted by lithium extraction.

Paper long abstract:

In this paper we present a relational analysis of differently situated narratives about lithium and its role in emerging energy technologies. We understand narratives as cultural-political forms that both reflect and remake material realities, in this case, those of resource extraction accompanying the global shift towards post-fossil energy production and use. In resource studies the predominant narrative about the "mineral foundation" of the global energy transition is a warning not to neglect the vast amounts of raw materials that will be necessary for this transition. While we agree that it is crucial to emphasize the role of natural resources, we take issue with the universalizing tendencies within such narratives. As long as we portray resources as interchangeable objects, producers as placeless raw material providers, and a minority of consumers as humanity writ large, we cannot do justice to the contradictory relations between energy transition and resource extraction, and their political and ethical implications. Thus, in this paper we argue for greater attention to particular relations enacted by lithium to craft different narratives about its futures and relations to energy transition. Based on an analysis of public media, advertising materials, policy documents, and political discourses, we contrast emerging lithium narratives between two particular positions, the 'West' (Europe/US) and a particularly-relevant lithium-extraction context, Bolivia. Analyzing the relations between these positions, we ask, what tensions and frictions arise from differently situated lithium narratives? How do these narratives (re)make particular pasts, presents and futures? What actions and agendas do they inform and legitimize?