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Decentralization or Manipulation? An Analysis of Change within Pasture Management Institutions in Tajikistan

Roberth, Isabel LU (2015) MIDM19 20151
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
This study discusses how different agents shape institutional change in Tajikistan, and ultimately how this affects the process of decentralization within pasture management institutions. The purpose of this thesis is to explore how decentralization takes place in the context of institutional change, and to increase our understanding of the potential barriers to the effective decentralization of natural resources. Mahoney and Thelen’s theory of gradual institutional change is used to determine which agents drive institutional change, and in turn, what type of change is produced as a result. The analysis is based on field notes from conferences uniting main stakeholders in pasture governance, interviews with key informants and livestock... (More)
This study discusses how different agents shape institutional change in Tajikistan, and ultimately how this affects the process of decentralization within pasture management institutions. The purpose of this thesis is to explore how decentralization takes place in the context of institutional change, and to increase our understanding of the potential barriers to the effective decentralization of natural resources. Mahoney and Thelen’s theory of gradual institutional change is used to determine which agents drive institutional change, and in turn, what type of change is produced as a result. The analysis is based on field notes from conferences uniting main stakeholders in pasture governance, interviews with key informants and livestock owners and a desk review of pasture management legislation. The results reveal that although there are agents actively seeking to create change, notably international organizations and parts of the government, there are also agents that seek ways to contradict it. A combination of strong veto power and a high level of discretion strengthens agents seeking to preserve the status quo. These factors are exacerbated by a high level of institutional ambiguity. Ultimately, the political and institutional environment favours agents exploiting pasture management institutions for personal gain, making the successful decentralization of pasture resources in Tajikistan unlikely. (Less)
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author
Roberth, Isabel LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20151
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
institutional change, Tajikistan, pastures, decentralization, natural resource management, institutional barriers to development, institutional ambiguity, natural resource governance, Central Asia
language
English
id
5423527
date added to LUP
2015-06-29 15:17:43
date last changed
2015-06-29 15:17:43
@misc{5423527,
  abstract     = {{This study discusses how different agents shape institutional change in Tajikistan, and ultimately how this affects the process of decentralization within pasture management institutions. The purpose of this thesis is to explore how decentralization takes place in the context of institutional change, and to increase our understanding of the potential barriers to the effective decentralization of natural resources. Mahoney and Thelen’s theory of gradual institutional change is used to determine which agents drive institutional change, and in turn, what type of change is produced as a result. The analysis is based on field notes from conferences uniting main stakeholders in pasture governance, interviews with key informants and livestock owners and a desk review of pasture management legislation. The results reveal that although there are agents actively seeking to create change, notably international organizations and parts of the government, there are also agents that seek ways to contradict it. A combination of strong veto power and a high level of discretion strengthens agents seeking to preserve the status quo. These factors are exacerbated by a high level of institutional ambiguity. Ultimately, the political and institutional environment favours agents exploiting pasture management institutions for personal gain, making the successful decentralization of pasture resources in Tajikistan unlikely.}},
  author       = {{Roberth, Isabel}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Decentralization or Manipulation? An Analysis of Change within Pasture Management Institutions in Tajikistan}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}