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Are landscape approaches possible under authoritarianism? Multi-stakeholder governance and social transformation in Myanmar

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  • Forsyth, Tim
  • Springate-Baginski, Oliver

Abstract

Landscape Approaches have been proposed as a transferable model of multi-stakeholder governance, yet assume conditions of ideal speech, trust, and transparency that seem untransferable to authoritarian regimes. This paper argues that building Landscape Approaches under authoritarian conditions cannot be based on a governance deficit model of awaiting idealized political conditions, but instead needs to pay attention to how local social and political structures influence what is deliberated, and by whom. The paper presents evidence from a multi-stakeholder environmental intervention around Lake Indawgyi in Kachin State, Myanmar, to draw lessons for transferring Landscapes Approaches under conditions of political authoritarianism, sporadic violent conflict, and rapid socio-economic change. Using information gathered from village surveys and interviews with policymakers, the paper analyzes how multifunctionality, stakeholder engagement, and deliberation are achieved, and with whose influence. The paper argues that common principles of Landscapes Approaches need to acknowledge more how state-led agendas can influence agendas and participation in conservation; but also how the composition and interests of stakeholders are not fixed under socio-economic transformation. Focusing on local and contextual drivers of environmental change and political inequality are more useful for transferring Landscape Approaches to authoritarian regimes than adhering to optimistic principles, or testing associations between variables without reference to context. Indeed, the latter risks depoliticizing conflictual processes, and implicitly endorsing political inequalities. The 2021 military coup in Myanmar has added to these inequalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Forsyth, Tim & Springate-Baginski, Oliver, 2021. "Are landscape approaches possible under authoritarianism? Multi-stakeholder governance and social transformation in Myanmar," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 111039, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
  • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:111039
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/111039/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dymond, John R. & Ausseil, Anne-Gaelle & Shepherd, James D. & Janssen, Helmut, 2007. "A landscape approach for assessing the biodiversity value of indigenous forest remnants: Case study of the Manawatu/Wanganui region of New Zealand," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(1), pages 82-91, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yue Li & Nor Azlina Abu Bakar & Nor Atiah Ismail & Noor Fazamimah Mohd Ariffin & Riyadh Mundher, 2024. "Experts’ Perspectives on Inclusive Governance for Protecting Hot Spring Landscapes in China: Barriers and Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-28, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    landscape approaches; multi-stakeholder governance; transformation; multifunctional landscapes; Myanmar;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General

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