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What Explains Collective Action in the Commons? Theory and Evidence from the Philippines

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  • Araral Jr., Eduardo

Abstract

Summary I examine the factors that influence collective action in the commons using econometric analyses on a data set of 1958 irrigation associations in the Philippines. I find that collective action is associated with water scarcity, proximity to markets, group size, farm size, and governance structure. Water scarcity has a curvilinear effect on collective action and is mediated by the governance structure. The results suggest the need for a diagnostic approach in the analysis of institutional arrangements in diverse socio-ecological settings. These also suggest that collective action in the commons is more complex than is conventionally assumed in the decentralization literature.

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  • Araral Jr., Eduardo, 2009. "What Explains Collective Action in the Commons? Theory and Evidence from the Philippines," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 687-697, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:37:y:2009:i:3:p:687-697
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