Environmental Activists, How is this trend related to the rise of authoritarianism?

Some questions to think about: (not required)

How is this trend related to the rise of authoritarianism?
Why are environmental activists specifically being targeted?
Who benefits from the killing environmental activists?

Some possible resources: (not required)

Mexicos Environmental Activists Killed for Resisting Infrastructure Projects

https://www.insightcrime.org/news/brief/mexico-environmental-activists-killed/ (Links to an external site.)

Men Connected to Butterfly Sanctuary Are Found Dead

https://www.npr.org/2020/02/03/802359415/sadness-and-worry-after-2-men-connected-to-butterfly-sanctuary-are-found-dead (Links to an external site.) 

164 Environmental Activists Were Killed While Protecting Their Homes Last Year
https://time.com/5638438/global-witness-environmental-activists-murdered/ (Links to an external site.)

Environmental activist murders double in 15 years
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/05/environmental-activist-murders-double (Links to an external site.)

Directions:

Use concepts and examples from the assigned course readings and course lectures to respond to the prompt. We are not asking you to summarize the readings/lectures/news sources or answer all the questions above. We are not asking for your unsupported opinions. We are asking you to make your own coherent and well supported argument about the topic. Cite specific concepts, short quotes and examples from the assigned readings and lectures as evidence to support your own argument. Your paper needs to include a thesis statement that outlines your argument.

Your paper should be 1000-1200 words or about 3-4 double spaced pages. Please pay careful attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Remember that citations are required for both paraphrasing and direct quotes from either the text or lecture. Feel free to cite other books and articles as needed. Include a full list of works cited at the end (APA, Chicago, or other citation standard be consistent!). Please submit your paper on the course website under “Paper Assignment 2” on Tuesday June 9th by 5:00 pm. If you have trouble submitting your paper online please email it directly to your TA.