Papers by Shirley Smith
Resources Policy, 2014
This article critically explores the nature and purpose of relationships and interdependencies be... more This article critically explores the nature and purpose of relationships and interdependencies between stakeholders in the context of a parastatal chromite mining company in the Betsiboka Region of Northern Madagascar. An examination of the institutional arrangements at the interface between the mining company and local communities identified power hierarchies and dependencies in the context of a dominant paternalistic environment. The interactions, inter alia, limited social cohesion and intensified the fragility and weakness of community representation, which was further influenced by ethnic hierarchies between the varied community groups; namely, indigenous communities and migrants to the area from different ethnic groups. Moreover, dependencies and nepotism, which may exist at all institutional levels, can create civil society stakeholder representatives who are unrepresentative of the society they are intended to represent. Similarly, a lack of horizontal and vertical trust and reciprocity inherent in Malagasy society engenders a culture of low expectations regarding transparency and accountability, which further catalyses a cycle of nepotism and elite rent-seeking behaviour. On the other hand, leaders retain power with minimal vertical delegation or decentralisation of authority among levels of government and limit opportunities to benefit the elite, perpetuating rentseeking behaviour within the privileged minority. Within the union movement, pluralism and the associated politicisation of individual unions restricts solidarity, which impacts on the movement's capacity to act as a cohesive body of opinion and opposition. Nevertheless, the unions' drive to improve their social capital has increased expectations of transparency and accountability, resulting in demands for greater engagement in decision-making processes.
ABSTRACT Since the 1980s Madagascar has experienced increasing international attention promoting ... more ABSTRACT Since the 1980s Madagascar has experienced increasing international attention promoting conservation and development, attracted by its biodiversity hotspot status. The island has consequently been a testing ground for new approaches to environmental governance including integrated conservation and development projects, community-based natural resource management, new generation co-managed, multiple-use protected areas and the commoditisation of forests and biodiversity through reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation and schemes implementing mining biodiversity offsets. In addition, the liberalisation of economic policies has led to internationally funded agricultural development projects, large-scale land acquisitions for food and biofuel production by foreign corporations and governments, and globally significant mining investments. Policy reforms developed alongside these interventions and were characterised by approaches purportedly designed to improve social and environmental outcomes for the Malagasy people through more participatory forms of governance, which promised greater equity and sustainability. The functional effectiveness, transparency and social justice impacts of new governance approaches and their related environmental and social regulations vary widely, however. This chapter applies a common focus on participation and social justice to case studies of four sectors: agriculture, mining, forests and protected areas. In doing so, we highlight a ‘participation gap’ between intentions and practice with serious implications for social justice, and reflect on what has, and has not, been learned over three decades of environmental governance reforms.
ABSTRACT Since the 1980s Madagascar has experienced increasing international attention promoting ... more ABSTRACT Since the 1980s Madagascar has experienced increasing international attention promoting conservation and development, attracted by its biodiversity hotspot status. The island has consequently been a testing ground for new approaches to environmental governance including integrated conservation and development projects, community-based natural resource management, new generation co-managed, multiple-use protected areas and the commoditisation of forests and biodiversity through reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation and schemes implementing mining biodiversity offsets. In addition, the liberalisation of economic policies has led to internationally funded agricultural development projects, large-scale land acquisitions for food and biofuel production by foreign corporations and governments, and globally significant mining investments. Policy reforms developed alongside these interventions and were characterised by approaches purportedly designed to improve social and environmental outcomes for the Malagasy people through more participatory forms of governance, which promised greater equity and sustainability. The functional effectiveness, transparency and social justice impacts of new governance approaches and their related environmental and social regulations vary widely, however. This chapter applies a common focus on participation and social justice to case studies of four sectors: agriculture, mining, forests and protected areas. In doing so, we highlight a ‘participation gap’ between intentions and practice with serious implications for social justice, and reflect on what has, and has not, been learned over three decades of environmental governance reforms.
Co-authored by Shirley Smith
Governance for Justice and Environmental Sustainability, Mar 2014
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Papers by Shirley Smith
Co-authored by Shirley Smith