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The Salween River as a transboundary commons: Fragmented collective action, hybrid governance and power
Author(s) -
Suhardiman Diana,
Middleton Carl
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
asia pacific viewpoint
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.571
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1467-8373
pISSN - 1360-7456
DOI - 10.1111/apv.12284
Subject(s) - commons , corporate governance , collective action , context (archaeology) , state (computer science) , economic system , foregrounding , sociology , sustainability , institutionalism , power (physics) , political science , law and economics , environmental planning , environmental resource management , ecology , economics , politics , law , geography , management , computer science , linguistics , philosophy , physics , archaeology , algorithm , quantum mechanics , biology
Viewing the Salween River as a transboundary commons, this paper illustrates how diverse state and non‐state actors and institutions in hybrid and multi‐scaled networks have influenced water governance in general, and large dam decision‐making processes in particular. Putting power relations at the centre of this analysis and drawing on the conceptual lenses of hybrid governance and critical institutionalism, we show the complexity of the fragmented processes through which decisions have been arrived at, and their implications. In the context of highly asymmetrical power relations throughout the basin, and the absence of an intergovernmental agreement to date, we argue that hybrid networks of state and non‐state actors could be strategically engaged to connect parallel and fragmented decision‐making landscapes with a goal of inclusively institutionalising the transboundary commons and maintaining connected local commons throughout the basin, foregrounding a concern for ecological and social justice.