Cross-level linkages in an ecology of climate change adaptation policy games

Hamilton, Max; Lubell, Mark; Namaganda, Emilinah

doi:10.5751/es-10179-230236

Cited by 34 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…KMFRI scientists said that they are planning on including the county in these information‐sharing forums. These results confirm previous findings that compared to within‐level linkages, cross‐level linkages are less common because of higher transaction costs for coordination (Hamilton, Lubell, & Namaganda, 2018; Wyborn, 2015). Thus, even as cross‐level linkages between higher and lower‐level decision centers are weak or inactive, horizontal linkages between state agencies function effectively, strengthening state agencies at the center.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

Polycentric to monocentric governance: Power dynamics in Lake Victoria's fisheries

Mudliar

2020

Env Pol Gov

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In theory, polycentric governance arrangements are better able to respond to complex, uncertain, and multiscale challenges. Research on polycentric governance challenges these normative assumptions to find that the functionality of polycentric systems is constrained because different kinds of power influence not only the emergence and design of polycentric systems, but also decisions about policy choices and outcomes. This study uses a polycentric power typology to provide insights into the power dynamics underpinning the polycentric fisheries system of Lake Victoria through qualitative case study methods. The study reveals that power by design creates a polycentric structure that could potentially provide opportunities for power‐sharing between higher and lower decision centers. However, pragmatic and framing power erode power away from lower‐level authorities by either taking over or dismantling lower‐level decision centers and institutions. Without a genuine intent to share power among decision centers, cross‐level linkages are deliberately nonfunctional or have high transaction costs, creating and intensifying conflicts and competitions between the state and local governments. In the absence of functional cross‐linkages, information‐sharing, accountability, and conflict‐resolution mechanisms are hampered as is the inclusion of lower‐level actors in management. Higher‐level actors justify taking over functions of lower‐level actors by deploying frames of the lower‐level's “lack of capacity.” In combination, these factors concentrate power at the center, resulting in maladaptive outcomes in Lake Victoria's fisheries. The findings suggest that improving understanding of contextual conditions that are more suited to polycentric governance is important for refining theory and improving governance.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

Polycentric to monocentric governance: Power dynamics in Lake Victoria's fisheries

Mudliar

2020

Env Pol Gov

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“…It might also provide access to certain actors that are less involved in higher‐up forums, such as small municipalities or local environmentalists. Having access to these actors by participating in local forums can be a source of influence for actors in higher‐up forums, as these local actors are often seen as being representatives of local interests (Hamilton, Lubell, & Namaganda, ). Additionally, by participating in other water basin forums actors can get access to these forums’ funds and be involved in concrete projects in the sub‐basin that might help them gain visibility.…”

Section: Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participation in Multiple Decision Making Water Governance Forums in Brazil Enhances Actors’ Perceived Level of Influence

García¹,

Bodin²

2018

Policy Studies Journal

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The Ecology of Games Framework (EGF) draws attention to the intertwined nature of different forums in a given policy setting and how this affects governance outcomes. In this article, we associate the EGF with the literature on power asymmetries, in order to investigate hypotheses of actors’ perceived level of influence in a forum. Focusing on the Paraíba do Sul river basin committee in Brazil, we specifically explore actors’ participation in multiple forums, time spent participating in the basin committee, and actors’ degree of involvement in the committee as factors that might explain actors’ level of perceived influence in the forum. The findings suggest participation in multiple forums is a key driver of perceived influence and thus highlight a way to challenge traditional power asymmetries. More research, however, is needed to determine to what extent perceived influence is affecting decision‐making processes and governance outcomes in the Paraíba do Sul river basin committee.

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“…The process of mainstreaming adaptation often involves the redistribution of resources (Huq et al 2004), and decisions may be rejected by actors that perceive them to be unfair. Additionally, transboundary adaptation governance systems span multiple administrative levels, and collaborative policy forums often bring together actors that operate at local, national, regional, and global levels (Adger et al 2005a, Hamilton et al 2018. In these settings, actors likewise vary in authority and resources, and higher-level actors may exploit power asymmetries to enhance their influence over decision-making processes at the expense of lower-level actors (Bäckstrand 2008, Gallemore et al 2015.…”

Section: Perceived Procedural Fairness In Transnational Environmentalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding what shapes varying perceptions of the procedural fairness of transboundary environmental decision-making processes

Hamilton¹

2018

E&S

Self Cite

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The effectiveness of collaborative environmental decision-making processes hinges on the degree to which participating stakeholder groups (i.e., policy actors) perceive those processes to be fair. However, there is limited understanding of the factors that shape actors' perceptions of the fairness of decision-making processes, a concept known as perceived procedural fairness. I develop and test a set of hypotheses about the conditions under which actors that participate in the same environmental decision-making processes perceive the fairness of those processes differently. The study draws upon data from a survey of policy actors participating in task forces, steering committees, and other forums that guide climate change adaptation decision-making in the Lake Victoria basin in East Africa. These actors vary significantly in power and capacity, which raises questions of the degree to which forums provide meaningful opportunities for all actors to contribute to decision making. Findings indicate that among pairs of actors participating in any given forum, satisfaction with procedural fairness is higher among actors with greater social capital, operating at higher administrative levels, and with larger numbers of staff members. Additionally, donor organizations perceived higher levels of procedural fairness compared to civil society, government, and international nongovernmental organizations. These results have implications for efforts to improve the efficacy and legitimacy of environmental policy making in the Lake Victoria basin, as well as other transboundary governance systems in developing regions.

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Cross-level linkages in an ecology of climate change adaptation policy games

Cited by 34 publications

References 53 publications

Polycentric to monocentric governance: Power dynamics in Lake Victoria's fisheries

Polycentric to monocentric governance: Power dynamics in Lake Victoria's fisheries

Participation in Multiple Decision Making Water Governance Forums in Brazil Enhances Actors’ Perceived Level of Influence

Understanding what shapes varying perceptions of the procedural fairness of transboundary environmental decision-making processes

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