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Cooperation in the commons: Community-based rangeland management in Namibia

Author

Listed:
  • D. Layne Coppock

    (Department of Environment and Society, Utah State University)

  • Lucas Crowley

    (Innovations for Poverty Action)

  • Susan L. Durham

    (Ecology Center, Utah State University)

  • Dylan Groves

    (Department of Political Science, Columbia University)

  • Julian C. Jamison

    (Department of Economics, University of Exeter)

  • Dean Karlan

    (Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University)

  • Brien E. Norton

    (Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University)

  • R. Douglas Ramsey

    (Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University)

Abstract
Classic theories suggest that common pool resources are subject to overexploitation. Community-based resource management approaches may ameliorate "tragedy of the commons" effects. Using a randomized evaluation in Namibia's communal rangelands, we find that a comprehensive four-year program to support community-based rangeland and cattle management led to persistent and large improvements for eight of thirteen indices of social and behavioral outcomes. Effects on rangeland health, cattle productivity and household economics, however, were either negative or nil. Positive impacts on community resource management may have been offset by communities' inability to control grazing by non-participating herds and inhibited by an unresponsive rangeland sub-system. This juxtaposition, in which measurable improvements in community resource management did not translate into better outcomes for households or rangeland health, demonstrates the fragility of the causal pathway from program implementation to intended socioeconomic and environmental outcomes. It also points to challenges for improving climate change-adaptation strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Layne Coppock & Lucas Crowley & Susan L. Durham & Dylan Groves & Julian C. Jamison & Dean Karlan & Brien E. Norton & R. Douglas Ramsey, 2021. "Cooperation in the commons: Community-based rangeland management in Namibia," Discussion Papers 2106, University of Exeter, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:exe:wpaper:2106
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    File URL: https://exetereconomics.github.io/RePEc/dpapers/DP2106.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q24 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Land
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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