Using the capability approach to analyze contemporary environmental governance challenges in coastal Brazil

Abstract

Conservation and development are often framed as a dichotomy, requiring trade-offs. But trade-offs can be due to the particular political situation and to relationships of domination, and are not necessarily the inevitable result of intractable situations. Amartya Sen’s capability approach, which centers on human development, has enjoyed increasing applications in the environment area, but little in the commons literature. This article applies the capability approach framework to analyze human development in Trindade, Brazil, by answering key questions that are central to this approach (1) What kind of lives are people able to live? Are they able to be or do what they have reason to value? and (2) What is the quality of economic, social and political relations in Trindade? Three main 'shocks' emerge: (a) Conflict with external commercial developers, (b) Paving of access road into community, and (c) Enforcement of protected area regulations on historical community land and sea space. Capability priorities were established for women, men, older adults, and people with disabilities. The impacts of development and conservation policies are different for the four groups, as are the priorities for capabilities. The case demonstrates that space for public participation is not sufficient to ensure that the people who are trying to improve their wellbeing, and be the author of their own lives, can influence the outcome. It also shows that regular contact through public participation does not necessarily create empathy, as Sen assumed in The Idea of Justice.

Keywords

• capability approach
• conservation
• development
• protected areas
• commons governance
• participation