Who holds the power in the absence of the state? Polycentric governance and community justice in Ecuador's mangrove management

Abstract

This study examines the interplay between a polycentric governance system and Community-Based Mangrove Management (CBMM) in two Ecuadorian coastal communities, focusing on how conflicts arising from outsiders entering mangrove concessions are addressed. Combining the Power Tower Method with qualitative methods, including interviews and focus groups, we uncover contrasting approaches to conflict resolution. The southern community illustrates how a polycentric system can function with decision-making centers operating interdependently, showcasing a model of autonomous conflict management through community justice. In contrast, the northern community, while also operating within a polycentric framework, reveals the challenges that arise when diverse actors within such a system experience unequal investment in essential services and political divisions, leading to a greater reliance on state intervention. These disparities are further explained by differences in the configuration of governance in these areas, particularly in how actors interact, exert influence through their power relations, and utilize their sources of power, alongside the communities' perceptions of power regarding themselves and other stakeholders involved in the conflict. The study underscores the importance of understanding these diverse interactions, power relations, and power perceptions to enhance local governance and sustainable resource management within polycentric systems.