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Understanding Agency in Collective Action

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  • Frances Cleaver

Abstract

Participatory approaches to natural resource management encompass ideas about the desirability of citizens actively engaging in the institutions, policies and discourses that shape their access to resources. Underpinning such approaches are assumptions about the nature of human agency. Purposive individual action is seen as instrumentally desirable as well as potentially radical and transformatory. Through participation in collective resource management it is claimed that people can re-negotiate norms, challenge inequalities, claim their rights and extend their access. This paper draws on insights from theories of structuration, governmentality and gendered empowerment to explore understandings of how individual human agency shapes and is shaped by social relationships and institutions. It outlines six factors that constrain and enable the exercise of agency for different people; cosmologies, complex individual identities, the unequal interdependence of livelihoods, structure and voice, embodiment and emotionality. The paper concludes by considering some of the implications for research and development interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Frances Cleaver, 2007. "Understanding Agency in Collective Action," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(2), pages 223-244.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jhudca:v:8:y:2007:i:2:p:223-244
    DOI: 10.1080/14649880701371067
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Murat Arsel & Kalpana Wilson, 2015. "Forum 2015," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 46(4), pages 803-832, July.
    2. Mastewal Yami & Shiferaw Feleke & Tahirou Abdoulaye & Arega D. Alene & Zoumana Bamba & Victor Manyong, 2019. "African Rural Youth Engagement in Agribusiness: Achievements, Limitations, and Lessons," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Agheyisi, Justin Eduviere, 2019. "Inter-communal land conflicts in Benin City, Nigeria: Exploring the root causes in the context of customary land supply," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 532-542.
    4. Hofmann, Pascale, 2022. "Toward equitable urban water supply and sanitation in Dar es Salaam: The dialectic relationship between policy-driven and everyday practices," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    5. Raelin, Joseph A., 2017. "Leadership-as-practice: Theory and application—An editor’s reflection," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 13(2), pages 215-221.
    6. Griewald, Yuliana & Rauschmayer, Felix, 2013. "Exploring a nature-related conflict from a capability perspective," UFZ Discussion Papers 7/2013, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Division of Social Sciences (ÖKUS).
    7. Tara van Dijk, 2011. "Livelihoods, capitals and livelihood trajectories," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 11(2), pages 101-117, April.
    8. Frolov, Daniil, 2019. "The manifesto of post-institutionalism: institutional complexity research agenda," MPRA Paper 97662, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Raelin, Joseph A., 2016. "Imagine there are no leaders: Reframing leadership as collaborative agency," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 12(2), pages 131-158.
    10. Zaga-Mendez, Alejandra & Bissonnette, Jean-François & Kolinjivadi, Vijay & Cleaver, Frances & Dupras, Jérôme, 2021. "Towards collective action in ecosystem services governance: The recognition of social interdependencies in three collective agri-environmental initiatives in Quebec," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    11. Frolov, Daniil, 2018. "Постинституционализм: За Пределами Институционального Мейнстрима [Post-institutionalism: Beyond the Institutional Mainstream]," MPRA Paper 90287, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Mustalahti, Irmeli & Gutiérrez-Zamora, Violeta & Hyle, Maija & Devkota, Bishnu Prasad & Tokola, Nina, 2020. "Responsibilization in natural resources governance: A romantic doxa?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    13. Sakketa, Tekalign Gutu, 2018. "Institutional bricolage as a new perspective to analyse institutions of communal irrigation: Implications towards meeting the water needs of the poor communities," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 9(C), pages 1-11.
    14. Griewald, Yuliana & Rauschmayer, Felix, 2014. "Exploring an environmental conflict from a capability perspective," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 30-39.
    15. Frolov, Daniil, 2019. "Постинституционализм: Программа Исследований За Пределами Институционального Мейнстрима [Post-institutionalism: research program beyond the institutional mainstream]," MPRA Paper 92328, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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