PDF 3.08 MB

modify her basic framework and incorporate the effect of new variables. One such
variable has been contextual factors (Edwards & Steins). We will define contextual
factors and examine its importance in influencing the course of the CP regime.
One proposition, in this context, could be that while the general principles of CP
regimes may work across contexts, success of the regime depends crucially on the
specifics of the resources considered as well as the related human context. Our
second proposition relates to the dynamics of CP regimes. It has been now accepted
that no specific rights regime is inherently suited to any particular natural resource
(Eggertson, 1990). Based on this, we will argue that property rights regimes co-
evolve with human activity, but not necessarily along a smooth linear trajectory (or
even smooth circular trajectory, as argued, for example by Berkes, in Berkes ed.,
1989; refer to Figure 1.). For example an open access regime or a private regime
may initially be claimed by the State for the purpose of managing them. These may
then be handed over to a group or community for management as a community
property (subject to community control). This group or community, in turn, may
confer private rights or even open access rights to harvest the resource within the
broad framework of the CP regime. Even a CP regime may evolve out of a private
property regime. The exact nature of the trajectory will depend upon the
characteristics of the cost functions for extraction, exclusion and governance
activities.
This will be followed by an analysis of the case studies in the general context of the
above propositions. We will describe the socio-economic features of the site and
resource specific respondents. This will be followed by a history of the evolution of
the resource regime in the site. We will then examine the functioning of the existing
regime, and examine the reasons contributing to their success/failure. In particular,
we shall examine the role of contextual factors on the choices of the community
members in the collective action arena.
In the next chapter, we shall try to invoke theories to integrate these case studies.
We shall attempt to capture the impact of contextual and other factors on the
evolution and functioning of CP regimes using a game theoretic framework. We shall
also try to assess the relevance of such frameworks in providing insights into the
understanding of the experiences of the cases studied
19