Waiting for Democracy: The Politics of Choice in Natural Resource Decentralization

Decentralizations and other environmental governance reforms are taking place around the world. They are affecting and re-configuring the local institutions that are the basis of natural resource management. Little is known about the effects of current reforms, however, much is assumed. This research report is designed to raise consciousness of the questions that remain concerning the definition and application of better environmental governance with respect to decentralizations. It is also designed to document the research findings of our program for other researchers and for policy makers to use. The research report is intended to outline a framework and to pose a set of pertinent questions and recommendations. This in turn is aimed at influencing government policies around Africa and elsewhere in the world, and at influencing donor investments in Africa toward improving environmental management and justice.