Power relations in the co-creation of water policy in Bolivia: beyond the tyranny of participation
Integrated water management is complex and requires the participation of diverse actors to identify and implement transformative solutions. However, power relations can obstruct the more inclusive and equitable experiences of participatory approaches, hence limiting the empowerment of vulnerable gro...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IWA Publishing
2022-03-01
|
| Series: | Water Policy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://wp.iwaponline.com/content/24/3/569 |
| _version_ | 1811309069130006528 |
|---|---|
| author | Gruberg Helga Dessein Joost Benavides Jean Paul D'Haese Marijke |
| author_facet | Gruberg Helga Dessein Joost Benavides Jean Paul D'Haese Marijke |
| author_sort | Gruberg Helga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Integrated water management is complex and requires the participation of diverse actors to identify and implement transformative solutions. However, power relations can obstruct the more inclusive and equitable experiences of participatory approaches, hence limiting the empowerment of vulnerable groups. It is thus important to study how power relations are influenced by people's interests, socio-political structures, and knowledge in the process of (co)creation of water policies. We use a case study in a rural municipality of Bolivia to address this issue. Qualitative data were collected between 2017 and 2020 and analysed using the elements of the Power Cube of Gaventa as the analytical framework. Results confirm that different factors influence power relations in the making of a water policy such as interests, access to information, habits, and customs. Actors use different forms, spaces, and levels of power to achieve their interests. Our results show the importance and need to analyse power relations prior, during and after the (co)creation of any public policy and to step away from linear and sectoral frameworks of policy development. HIGHLIGHTS
Different forms, spaces, and levels of power are used by actors to reach their interests.;
Hidden power can be exercised by opposing actors to sabotage the process.;
Flawed and selective access to information is a form of exclusion.; |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T09:34:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ad319c5d928c416281c4c3cf9ee5444c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1366-7017 1996-9759 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T09:34:46Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | IWA Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water Policy |
| spelling | doaj.art-ad319c5d928c416281c4c3cf9ee5444c2022-12-22T02:52:08ZengIWA PublishingWater Policy1366-70171996-97592022-03-0124356958710.2166/wp.2022.325325Power relations in the co-creation of water policy in Bolivia: beyond the tyranny of participationGruberg Helga0Dessein Joost1Benavides Jean Paul2D'Haese Marijke3 Ghent University, Department of Agricultural Economics, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Ghent University, Department of Agricultural Economics, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, La Paz, Bolivia Ghent University, Department of Agricultural Economics, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Integrated water management is complex and requires the participation of diverse actors to identify and implement transformative solutions. However, power relations can obstruct the more inclusive and equitable experiences of participatory approaches, hence limiting the empowerment of vulnerable groups. It is thus important to study how power relations are influenced by people's interests, socio-political structures, and knowledge in the process of (co)creation of water policies. We use a case study in a rural municipality of Bolivia to address this issue. Qualitative data were collected between 2017 and 2020 and analysed using the elements of the Power Cube of Gaventa as the analytical framework. Results confirm that different factors influence power relations in the making of a water policy such as interests, access to information, habits, and customs. Actors use different forms, spaces, and levels of power to achieve their interests. Our results show the importance and need to analyse power relations prior, during and after the (co)creation of any public policy and to step away from linear and sectoral frameworks of policy development. HIGHLIGHTS Different forms, spaces, and levels of power are used by actors to reach their interests.; Hidden power can be exercised by opposing actors to sabotage the process.; Flawed and selective access to information is a form of exclusion.;http://wp.iwaponline.com/content/24/3/569boliviagovernancepower cubepower relationswater policy |
| spellingShingle | Gruberg Helga Dessein Joost Benavides Jean Paul D'Haese Marijke Power relations in the co-creation of water policy in Bolivia: beyond the tyranny of participation Water Policy bolivia governance power cube power relations water policy |
| title | Power relations in the co-creation of water policy in Bolivia: beyond the tyranny of participation |
| title_full | Power relations in the co-creation of water policy in Bolivia: beyond the tyranny of participation |
| title_fullStr | Power relations in the co-creation of water policy in Bolivia: beyond the tyranny of participation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Power relations in the co-creation of water policy in Bolivia: beyond the tyranny of participation |
| title_short | Power relations in the co-creation of water policy in Bolivia: beyond the tyranny of participation |
| title_sort | power relations in the co creation of water policy in bolivia beyond the tyranny of participation |
| topic | bolivia governance power cube power relations water policy |
| url | http://wp.iwaponline.com/content/24/3/569 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gruberghelga powerrelationsinthecocreationofwaterpolicyinboliviabeyondthetyrannyofparticipation AT desseinjoost powerrelationsinthecocreationofwaterpolicyinboliviabeyondthetyrannyofparticipation AT benavidesjeanpaul powerrelationsinthecocreationofwaterpolicyinboliviabeyondthetyrannyofparticipation AT dhaesemarijke powerrelationsinthecocreationofwaterpolicyinboliviabeyondthetyrannyofparticipation |