Prospects for Participatory Biodiversity Conservation in the Contemporary Crisis of Democracy

Abstract

This final chapter highlights the discussions and key findings of the preceding chapters and extends the debate about participatory approaches to biodiversity conservation. The first part of this chapter is devoted to the debate on ways to reconcile human welfare, environmental justice, and biodiversity conservation. I then follow by exploring which types of participation would result in mutual benefits for biodiversity and local livelihoods. The answer(s) to this question are based on literature reviews of the factors that promote success in participatory conservation. After that, the main typologies of participation are presented, serving as a starting point for reflection on the variety of possible governance systems and policy frameworks for effective participatory biodiversity conservation. Finally, in the last section of this chapter, the connections between participatory biodiversity conservation and the current political and economic environment are highlighted as the last not only limits the former but also threatens democracy itself.