Commoning the governance: a review of literature and the integration of power

Abstract

The concept of commoning is continuing to gain scholarly interest, with multiple definitions and interpretations across different research communities. In this article, we define commoning as the actions by groups with shared interests towards creating shared social and relational processes as the basis of governance strategy. Perhaps it can be more simply defined as collective ways of relating and governing. This article addresses two specific gaps in the commoning literature: (1) to bridge disparate strands of literature on commoning by briefly reviewing each and arguing for integration through epistemic pluralism, and (2) to explicitly examine how power is manifest in commoning processes by bringing in a framework on power (i.e., power over, power with, power to, power within) to understand the links between power and commoning governance processes in two case studies. The two cases are tourism governance on Gili Trawangan, Indonesia and aquatic food production systems in Bulacan, Philippines. We preface this analysis with the argument that power is an integral part of the commoning concept, but that it has yet to be analytically integrated to applications of the broader institutional analysis and development framework or within the networks of action situations approach. We argue that by making explicit how an analysis of power can be coupled to a network of action situations analysis in a qualitative way, we are advancing a key feature of the commoning concept, which we introduce as rooted in epistemic and analytical pluralism in the analysis of governance. In the discussion, we expand on how each case study reveals each of the four power dynamics, and how they improve the understanding of commoning as a pluralistic and perhaps bridging analytical concept.

Networks of action situations in social–ecological systems: current approaches and potential futures

“…They identify four ASs central to collective action in climate adaptation in each of the studied islands and found that few strategic actors involved in all situations lead to reinforcing arrangements. Partelow and Manlosa (2022) introduce a process-based, relational perspective of commoning to structuralist analysis of NAS. They argue that merging the analysis of commoning and associated power with the analysis of NAS requires epistemic pluralism because power structures human relations in many ways.…”

“…Actor-network theory can add to NAS, because it helps to explore relations of both human and non-human objects in mid-range explanations of institutional change in NAS (Hurlbert and Akpan 2022). Also, the commoning perspective is centred around unfolding relationships that can take non-human objects and their context into account in process analysis of socio-ecological issues (Partelow and Manlosa 2022).…”

“…Likewise, the combination of an NAS approach with a polycentric and discursive view on power can uncover power relations that undermine sustainability-supporting formal arrangements and knowledge (Méndez et al 2022). The analysis of commoning also suggests that power can be insufficiently attended to, when only devising formal concepts that neglect power (Partelow and Manlosa 2022). Finally, participatory governance of social-ecological systems requires empowerment of stakeholders that depends on how ASs are arranged in an NAS (Ortiz-Riomalo et al 2022).…”

Neglected Aspects and Maladaptation to Rules in Low-Cost Housing, Malaysia: Social Practices of Commoning

“…The factual form of commoning is heavily dependent on the circumstances (e.g., cultures, societal structures, time, space, physical attributes) and on learned behaviours as well as thinkable narratives." Simply put, commoning can be defined "as the actions by groups with shared interests towards creating shared social and relational processes as the basis of governance strategy," as articulated by Partelow & Manlosa (2022). Partelow & Manlosa (2022) present examples where "commoning the commons" is more viable when users can economically leverage existing resources (Partelow & Manlosa, 2022).…”

“…Simply put, commoning can be defined "as the actions by groups with shared interests towards creating shared social and relational processes as the basis of governance strategy," as articulated by Partelow & Manlosa (2022). Partelow & Manlosa (2022) present examples where "commoning the commons" is more viable when users can economically leverage existing resources (Partelow & Manlosa, 2022). Partelow & Manlosa (2022) offered two such examples: tourism governance on Gili Trawangan in Indonesia and aquatic food production systems in Bulacan, Philippines.…”