Structural Power Dynamics in Polycentric Water Governance Networks

Abstract

Water security is severely threatened by climate change. Building resilient catchments is key to reduce water insecurity, yet power dynamics that generate ineffective governance responses can hinder such resilience building. This research uses an Australian water governance process to study the power dynamics that underpin polycentric governance networks. Combining network theory and Lukes’ structural power concept is a novel methodology tested for its suitability to investigate structural power. We conducted a Social Network Analysis to identify dominant and marginalized stakeholders and validated the results with interview data. Our findings suggest that combining network theory and Lukes’ structural power concept is a useful methodology to identify power dynamics that manifest in polycentric governance structures. This research adds to the methodological foundations of power-related social network research and exemplifies how structural power dynamics, like control over information use, influence the effectiveness of polycentric governance processes and impact desired outcomes like catchment resilience.