RDS-30806 Governance, Livelihoods and Resources

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English.

Assumed knowledge on:

BSc Rural (Development) Sociology or equivalent, participation MAK, Introduction to rural development and Sociological theories of rural transformation

Continuation courses:

MID, MAK

Contents:

This course addresses different approaches to the concept of governance, particularly with regard to the use of natural resources, and their meaning in the study of the everyday lives of people in the South. Central governments increasingly loose the monopoly to exercise power through processes of globalization, devolution and decentralization. Ostrom, Berkes, and other neo-institutionalists see the governance of access, rights, and distribution of natural resources as co-management between the state and civil society. Foucault developed the concept of governmentality as the ongoing efforts of authorities to govern populations through disciplinary action. Others approach governance as the exercise of power through networks of transnational organizations, NGOs, popular movements, and local communities that seem to render the state-civil society dichotomy invalid. For example, Kooiman's approach to governance focuses on governing interactions as a key to the governability of social-political units.
The assumptions underlying these approaches appear based on (or biased to) western notions of freedom, democracy, and individualism, and they do not take into account a wealth of different cultural definitions and societal conditions. This course examines the value and meaning of the different approaches to governance, in particular regarding issues of natural resource 'management'. Case studies on rights to land, on competing claims to marine resources and transnational power hierarchies will put them into perspective.

Learning outcomes:

This course enables the student to:
- understand and analyse the different theoretical conceptualisations and meanings of governance;
- choose and apply any of these conceptualisations to his/her own research;
- evaluate the relevance and dilemma's of interdisciplinary research;
- study and critically reflect on the literature, and make an oral presentation about his/her reading of the literature.

Activities:

There are weekly sessions of two course hours followed by four course/discussion hours. Per week a particular topic is dealth with. As this course is prepared at MSc level, active participation of the student is expected. Students are requested to read the lecture material in advance.

Examination:

Written examination.

Literature:

A syllabus will be available before the start of the course, at the secretariat of Rural Development Sociology, The Leeuwenborch.