On the Use of Actor-Network Theory in a Common Pool Resources Project

Abstract

"Common pool resource theory has become the dominant theoretical and practical strategy to study and design natural resource management institutions. This essay contrasts the common pool resource theory (CPR) with that of actor-network theory (ANT) by employing the rhetorical device of a conversational piece between two researchers. Examining their respective approaches to understanding highlights the ontological and epistemological differences between the two approaches, and how they could be used to investigate community based nature resource management. For illustrative purposes we draw on our empirical work on community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in Kisakasaka, Zanzibar. Some common misconceptualizations and misunderstandings of actor-network theory are clarified by examining some often taken for granted common pool resource assumptions about rationality, objectivity, framing, scale and what constitutes common sense when undertaking social science research. The essay concludes equivocally by suggesting that although the two research approaches should not be hybridised, separately employed they might shed light on different aspects of community-based natural resource management projects."