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The discursive structure of FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade): The negotiation and interpretation of legality in the EU and Indonesia

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  • van Heeswijk, Laura
  • Turnhout, Esther

Abstract

The FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade) initiative is among the recent attempts to combat deforestation and promote sustainable forest development. However, ideas about what the objectives of FLEGT are and how legality should be interpreted differ among different actors involved. Some advocate a narrow interpretation of legality that promotes a strong role of the state and focuses on law enforcement, while others advocate a broader interpretation that includes issues of participation and sustainability. These different interpretations mirror current developments in international forest governance which are influenced on the one hand by broader trends in governance, which focus on voluntary instruments, participation and marketization, while on the other hand, the nation state remains a very powerful actor. This article uses a discourse analytical approach to analyze the discursive structure of FLEGT, particularly the European Union FLEGT Action Plan and the Indonesian legality standards. Our findings show that FLEGT is first and foremost shaped by state oriented discourses that promote regulatory instruments and a narrow interpretation of legality. Sustainability and participatory considerations are present, both in the EU and in the Indonesian context, but they come in a secondary position. The article concludes by positioning these findings in the international forest governance debate and by discussing the implications of the discursive structure of FLEGT for sustainability, participatory governance and the state.

Suggested Citation

  • van Heeswijk, Laura & Turnhout, Esther, 2013. "The discursive structure of FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade): The negotiation and interpretation of legality in the EU and Indonesia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 6-13.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:32:y:2013:i:c:p:6-13
    DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2012.10.009
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    3. Gençay, Gökçe & Mercimek, Anıl, 2019. "Public Consciousness and Influence of Law on Forest Crimes: Insights from Kastamonu, Turkey," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 1-1.
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    7. Kelly, Erin Clover & Crandall, Mindy S., 2022. "State-level forestry policies across the US: Discourses reflecting the tension between private property rights and public trust resources," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    8. Pettenella, Davide & Masiero, Mauro & Mammadova, Anyur & Sartorato, Caroline, 2017. "“Embedded” deforestation and forest degradation: exploring responsibilities and potentialities in green marketing of the Italian leather and meat industries," 2017 Sixth AIEAA Conference, June 15-16, Piacenza, Italy 261266, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA).
    9. Arts, Bas & Heukels, Bas & Turnhout, Esther, 2021. "Tracing timber legality in practice: The case of Ghana and the EU," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
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    12. Tegegne, Yitagesu T. & Ramcilovic-Suominen, Sabaheta & FOBISSIE, KALAME & Visseren-Hamakers, Ingrid J. & Lindner, Marcus & Kanninen, Markku, 2017. "Synergies among social safeguards in FLEGT and REDD+ in Cameroon," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 1-11.
    13. Ramcilovic-Suominen, Sabaheta & Lovric, Marko & Mustalahti, Irmeli, 2019. "Mapping policy actor networks and their interests in the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement in Lao PDR," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 128-148.
    14. Claudia Ituarte-Lima & Amelie Dupraz-Ardiot & Constance L. McDermott, 2019. "Incorporating international biodiversity law principles and rights perspective into the European Union Timber Regulation," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 255-272, June.
    15. Nurrochmat, Dodik Ridho & Dharmawan, Arya Hadi & Obidzinski, Krystof & Dermawan, Ahmad & Erbaugh, James Thomas, 2016. "Contesting national and international forest regimes: Case of timber legality certification for community forests in Central Java, Indonesia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 54-64.
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