How fit turns into misfit and back: Institutional Transformations of Pastoral Commons in African Floodplains

Abstract

ABSTRACT. We enlarge the notion of institutional fit using theoretical approaches from New Institutionalism, including rational choice and strategic action, political ecology and constructivist approaches. These approaches are combined with ecological approaches (system and evolutionary ecology) focusing on feedback loops and change. We offer results drawn from a comparison of fit and misfit cases of institutional change in pastoral commons in four African floodplain contexts (Zambia, Cameroon, Tanzania (two cases). Cases of precolonial fit and misfit in the postcolonial past, as well as a case of institutional fit in the postcolonial phase, highlight important features, specifically, flexible institutions, leadership, and mutual economic benefit under specific relations of bargaining power of actors. We argue that only by combining otherwise conflicting approaches can we come to understand why institutional fit develops into misfit and back again.

Misreading a pastoral property regime in the Logone floodplain, Cameroon

“…This is a response to an article in Ecology and Society by Haller et al (2013). In this response, I argue that Haller et al's (2013) description of the pastoralists' management of common-pool grazing resources in the Logone floodplain of Cameroon is incorrect.…”

“…I argue that Haller et al (2013) have misread the pastoral system in the Logone floodplain, where our studies have shown that there is currently a good fit between local, regional, national, and international institutions and the common-pool grazing resources governed. In addition, I would like to bring into question the claim of Haller et al (2013) that there was an "institutional fit" in the precolonial past.…”

“…This is a response to an article by Haller et al (2013) in Ecology and Society titled "How fit turns into misfit and back: institutional transformations of pastoral commons in African floodplains." In this response, I argue that Haller et al's description of the pastoralists' management of common-pool grazing resources in the Logone floodplain of Cameroon is incorrect in a number of ways.…”

“…In addition, I would like to bring into question the claim of Haller et al (2013) that there was an "institutional fit" in the precolonial past. This claim may be valid from the perspective of Kotoko, who were in control of the system, but I would interpret it as an inequitable system aimed at extracting rents and protecting the interests of one ethnic group over those of others.…”

“…In a comparative study of pastoral commons in four African floodplains, Haller et al (2013) argue that in precolonial times, there was fit between institutions and the common-pool resources governed, but that there currently is a misfit because states have undermined common property regimes, replacing them with state and private ownership of natural resources, resulting in a tragedy of the commons. One of the case studies where this transformation is supposed to have happened is the Logone floodplain in Cameroon.…”