Where the power lies: multiple stakeholder politics over natural ...

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What is the effect of what I plan to do on existing power relations, i.e. who will be
affected negatively or positively? and
Who are the allies or enemies of those stakeholders whose cooperation is necessary
to achieve my goals?
Power relations affect our activities in different ways though they may affect some
activities more than others. Not understanding the degree to which a situation is politicised
may cause a person either to use power and influence when it is unnecessary and thereby
violate behavioural norms as well as waste resources, or underestimate the extent to
which power needs to be employed, and fail in the task of implementation (Pfeffer
1992). For example, a researcher in Zimbabwe describes how even simple actions like
consultations with stakeholders can be underlain by serious politics (Box 2). Politics
involves the mobilization of power to achieve or protect certain values and interests.
Box 2. The Politics of calling a village meeting
When I first arrived in the area I was not aware of the disputed leadership position.
When I started calling meetings, that is when I started to observe that there was
something wrong. When both men were present at the meetings there would be some
strange undertones and fireworks were frequent. I did not understand what was going
on or know how to deal with it. The villagers were also divided behind different
individuals. When I was told about the contested chieftainship, the pieces started to fall
together. Because for a while I could not understand how a simple act of calling a
village meeting could be such a political issue. I was advised that when I am calling for
meetings in the area, messages should be sent to the different individuals at the same
time as they often fight over who receives the message first and from whom.
Consequently, I must always send two messengers of equal status to transmit the
message at the same time otherwise they would accuse me of taking sides. Once the
message is received by one of the individuals, they in turn send a message to their
supporters only. Another complication arises when they both attend because it is difficult
to allocate them places to sit or decide on the order of introductions. Local people advised
that when both individual attend meetings none is introduced because then they fight
over who should have been introduced first. However, when one is present, then that
person is introduced as the village leader. I begin to see why dealing with politics is
inevitable in my situation (Richard Nyirenda, 08-/2000).
Researchers in Zimbabwe have provided a number of reasons why we must first be aware
of and secondly be able to assess micro-politics (Box 3). Often one works to keep partisan
politics at arm’s length, handling power relations usually in a way that seeks to avoid
being drawn into controversies and conflicts, but in the end one finds there is no
choice but to find ways of making sense of these relations.
Analyses of micro-politics undertaken at different stages often yield different results.
Preliminary analysis of relations among stakeholders helps with targeting partners
and identifying contested issues. The analysis may also highlight relationships that
need bolstering and those that do not, as well as give some indication of what processes
need to be strengthened to enhance participation by all stakeholders. Analysis during
implementation is useful for assessing levels of participation by different stakeholders,