Political economics, collective action and wicked socio-ecological problems: A practice story from the field

Main Article Content

Lisa B. Adams
Theodore R. Alter
Margot W. Parkes
Michael Reid
Andrew P. Woolnough

Abstract

Empowering integrative, sustainable and equitable approaches to wicked socio-ecological problems requires multiple disciplines and ways of knowing. Following calls for greater attention to political economics in this transdisciplinary work, we offer a practitioner perspective on political economy and collective action and their influences on our community engagement practice and public policy. Our perspective is grounded in a pervasive wicked problem in Australia, invasive rabbits, and the emergence of the Victorian Rabbit Action Network. The network grew out of a publically funded research project to support community-led action in rabbit management. Victorian residents and workers affected by rabbits – public and private land managers, scientists, government officers and others – were invited to engage in a participatory planning process to generate sustainable strategies to address the rabbit problem. Each stage in the process, which involved interviews, a workshop and consultations, was designed to nurture the critical enquiry, listening and learning skills of participants, advance understandings of the problem from multiple perspectives, generate collective options to guide decision-making, and encourage community-led collective action. We reflect on our understanding of these processes using the language and lens of political economics and, in particular, the context of democratic professionalism. In so doing, we define terms and refer to information resources that have enabled us to bring a practical working knowledge of political economics to our professional practice. Our intent is to motivate academics, community members, government officials, and scientists alike, to draw on their knowledge and field experiences and to share practice stories through the lens of political economics and collective action. This is an opportunity to engage each other in small ‘p’ politics of how we understand and act on wicked problems, to negotiate and connect across disciplines, practical experiences and human difference, so that people may work more creatively and effectively together to address the challenging issues of our time.


 

Article Details

Section
Snapshots (Non-refereed)
Author Biographies

Lisa B. Adams, Lisa Adams & Associates

Director

Theodore R. Alter, The Pennsylvania State University

Professor of Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Economics
Co-Director, Center for Economic and Community Development
The Pennsylvania State University

Research Fellow
Australian Center for Agriculture & Law, School of Law
University of New England in Australia

Margot W. Parkes, University of Northern British Columbia

Canada Research Chair in Health, Ecosystems & Society

Michael Reid, Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Precincts and Resources

Program Manager, Biosecurity and Agricultural Services, Agriculture Victoria

 

Andrew P. Woolnough, Victorian Government Department of Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions

Office of Victoria’s Lead Scientist