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Shock and Conflict in Social-Ecological Systems: Implications for Environmental Governance

Author

Listed:
  • Kristof Van Assche

    (Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada
    Harris Centre, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1A 1B3, Canada)

  • Monica Gruezmacher

    (Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada
    School of Science and the Environment, Grenfell Campus Memorial University, Corner Brook, NL A2H 5G4, Canada)

  • Raoul Beunen

    (Faculty of Management, Science & Technology, Open University, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

In this paper, we present a framework for the analysis of shock and conflict in social-ecological systems and investigate the implications of this perspective for the understanding of environmental governance, particularly its evolutionary patterns and drivers. We dwell on the distinction between shock and conflict. In mapping the relation between shock and conflict, we invoke a different potentiality for altering rigidity and flexibility in governance; different possibilities for recall, revival and trauma; and different pathways for restructuring the relation between governance, community and environment. Shock and conflict can be both productive and eroding, and for each, one can observe that productivity can be positive or negative. These different effects in governance can be analyzed in terms of object and subject creation, path creation and in terms of the dependencies recognized by evolutionary governance theory: path, inter-, goal and material dependencies. Thus, shock and conflict are mapped in their potential consequences to not only shift a path of governance, but also to transform the pattern of self-transformation in such path. Finally, we reflect on what this means for the interpretation of adaptive governance of social-ecological systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristof Van Assche & Monica Gruezmacher & Raoul Beunen, 2022. "Shock and Conflict in Social-Ecological Systems: Implications for Environmental Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:2:p:610-:d:718946
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kristof Van Assche & Monica Gruezmacher, 2022. "Remembering Ypres. Post- War Reconstruction, Land and the Legacies of Shock and Conflict," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Kristof Van Assche & Monica Gruezmacher & Raoul Beunen, 2022. "Why Governance Is Never Perfect: Co-Evolution in Environmental Policy and Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-7, August.
    3. Raoul Beunen & Kristof Van Assche & Monica Gruezmacher, 2022. "Evolutionary Perspectives on Environmental Governance: Strategy and the Co-Construction of Governance, Community, and Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-18, August.
    4. Debadutta Parida & Kristof Van Assche & Sandeep Agrawal, 2023. "Climate Shocks and Local Urban Conflicts: An Evolutionary Perspective on Risk Governance in Bhubaneswar," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-21, January.

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