Enhancing actor-centered power theory through actor typology: Insights from community-based conservation in China

Abstract

This study addresses a critical limitation of Actor-centered Power (ACP) theory in Community-based Conservation (CBC) initiatives: its tendency to rely on predefined roles for actors, which can obscure the complex dynamics within communities. By integrating ACP theory with Scharpf's actor typology, this research aims to provide a framework that better reflects the nuanced power relationships both within communities and between communities and external actors. Using a comparative case study approach, we analyze three CBC programs in China to test this framework. Our findings underscore two key contributions. First, the combined framework allows for a more precise identification and analysis of power relations, revealing how internal and external actor roles shape community cohesion and collective action. Second, we highlight the significance of informational power in fostering communities' development as collective actors, thereby enhancing CBC effectiveness.