Democratic decentralization in sub-Saharan Africa: its contribution to forest management, livelihoods, and enfranchisement

摘要: Efforts to promote popular participation in forest management Sub-Saharan Africa have faced many obstacles and disappointments. Although promises of improvements relation management, rural livelihoods local enfranchisement been achieved some cases, accounts frustration outnumber those success. Focusing on through democratic decentralization (namely the transfer meaningful discretionary powers representative authorities), this paper reviews recent empirical studies outcomes management. The implementation ecological, livelihood democracy are examined, misconceptions analyses decentralized forestry explored. expected benefits within rarely realized because is established. In most authorities do not represent population or their space discretion so narrow that they little effect There official taking place, even under so-called participatory arrangements. If ever significant for created, researchers will opportunity study whether can deliver theoretically promised positive outcomes. Nevertheless, cases shed light effects decision making. Three general observations made decentralization. First, environmental, objectives always mutually reinforcing, circumstances may be at odds. Second, environmental improved often result accruing distant higher-scale aggregate populations, while communities carry costs. Third, poor peoples' use natural resources maintain conflicts with profit revenue interests elites, national commercial governments. A negotiated minimum social standards approach safeguard essential ecological functions same time protect economic values forests all scales society. remainder decisions, such as how used, by whom what, could then safely placed responsive representatives.