Who Has the Power? Comparative Insights on Conflict Management Through Community Justice in Ecuador's Mangrove Co-Management

Abstract

This study delves into community-based mangrove management (CBMM) in two Ecuadorian coastal communities, focusing on power dynamics and conflict resolution strategies within nested institutional frameworks. Using qualitative methods, including interviews and focus groups with the Power Tower Method, we uncover contrasting approaches to conflicts arising from outsiders entering mangrove concessions to collect resources. Over time, the southern community has developed community justice, asserting itself as a powerful stakeholder capable of autonomous conflict management. In contrast, the northern community relies more on government intervention and state justice, despite limited local presence and support. Disparities stem from unequal government investment in essential services and political divisions exacerbating budget allocation inequities within the northern community. Geographical configurations play a crucial role; the southern community resides among neighbors who respect territorial boundaries, while the northern community faces frequent intrusions, including by armed individuals. These contextual factors, along with historical conflict resolution practices, significantly influence community empowerment and management strategies. The study underscores the pivotal role of community justice within CBMM, advocating for its integration into national frameworks to enhance place-based local governance and sustainable resource management. At the same time, it emphasizes the pressing need to align conservation policies with local and national regulations to address poverty. By combining theories of the commons with methodologies for studying power, we aim to advance understanding of how power relations shape social justice in the commons, which has important lessons for CBMM and CBNRM worldwide

Keywords: CBNRM, CBMM, CPR, power, power tower method, community justice, geographical configurations, conservation, inequalities