Capital social et gestion des conflits dans le périmètre irrigué de Malanville au Bénin

Abstract

This paper analyses the influence of social capital in conflict management within self-governing irrigation systems through the case study of Malanville irrigated scheme in Benin. It shows that water users valorize efficiently bonding social capital when a conflict relates to operational rules. Linking social capital contributes to destroy bonding social capital in a conflict related to collective and constitutional rules. State agencies mediation was therefore required to resolve the conflict. Results suggest that a synergy approach between self-governing systems and state agencies is necessary for a better conflict management.