The power mapping tool: A method for the empirical research of power relations

This paper presents an innovative participatory method to visualize, discuss and analyze the power of different actors in a given governance field. The Power Mapping Tool was first used to analyze the governance effects of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) in Namibia. This example...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor principal: Schiffer, Eva
Formato: Artículo preliminar
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Food Policy Research Institute 2007
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160195
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author Schiffer, Eva
author_browse Schiffer, Eva
author_facet Schiffer, Eva
author_sort Schiffer, Eva
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This paper presents an innovative participatory method to visualize, discuss and analyze the power of different actors in a given governance field. The Power Mapping Tool was first used to analyze the governance effects of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) in Namibia. This example is presented as a case study to show how the method works: The actors involved are represented by board game figures that are characterized through “range-of-action-cards” and put on wooden “power towers” to show their power in the governance field. The result is a three dimensional sketch that provides quantitative data and guides the qualitative discussion about reasons for and effects of the power of different actors. In the case of Namibian CBNRM Power Mapping helped to understand how power indeed had been devolved from the national to the local level. However, on the community level elite-capture was seen as a serious problem. In this research the Power Mapping Tool proved to be easy to use with a very diverse mix of interview partners and provided not only a wealth of data but also increased the interviewees’ understanding of their own situation.
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spelling CGSpace1601952025-11-06T05:48:52Z The power mapping tool: A method for the empirical research of power relations Schiffer, Eva governance participatory research decentralization natural resources management This paper presents an innovative participatory method to visualize, discuss and analyze the power of different actors in a given governance field. The Power Mapping Tool was first used to analyze the governance effects of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) in Namibia. This example is presented as a case study to show how the method works: The actors involved are represented by board game figures that are characterized through “range-of-action-cards” and put on wooden “power towers” to show their power in the governance field. The result is a three dimensional sketch that provides quantitative data and guides the qualitative discussion about reasons for and effects of the power of different actors. In the case of Namibian CBNRM Power Mapping helped to understand how power indeed had been devolved from the national to the local level. However, on the community level elite-capture was seen as a serious problem. In this research the Power Mapping Tool proved to be easy to use with a very diverse mix of interview partners and provided not only a wealth of data but also increased the interviewees’ understanding of their own situation. 2007 2024-11-21T09:50:14Z 2024-11-21T09:50:14Z Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160195 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Schiffer, Eva. The power mapping tool: A method for the empirical research of power relations. IFPRI Discussion Paper 703. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160195
spellingShingle governance
participatory research
decentralization
natural resources management
Schiffer, Eva
The power mapping tool: A method for the empirical research of power relations
title The power mapping tool: A method for the empirical research of power relations
title_full The power mapping tool: A method for the empirical research of power relations
title_fullStr The power mapping tool: A method for the empirical research of power relations
title_full_unstemmed The power mapping tool: A method for the empirical research of power relations
title_short The power mapping tool: A method for the empirical research of power relations
title_sort power mapping tool a method for the empirical research of power relations
topic governance
participatory research
decentralization
natural resources management
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160195
work_keys_str_mv AT schiffereva thepowermappingtoolamethodfortheempiricalresearchofpowerrelations
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