Revisiting the interconnections between research strategies and policy proposals: reflections from the artisanal and small-scale mining sector in Africa. Issue 2 (3rd March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Campbell, Bonnie
• Is Part Of: Third world thematics. Volume 1:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 165
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2016-03-03
• Subjects: Artisanal and small-scale mining -- industrial mining -- Africa -- governance -- reform; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Globalization -- Periodicals; 338.90091724
• DOI: 10.1080/23802014.2016.1226145
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-9978

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this article is to explore the interconnections between the choice of conceptual and methodological frameworks and resulting institutional reform and policy processes and to do so from a broad developmental perspective. It builds on the analytical framework developed in past research which examined the links between issues of regulation and legitimacy in the African mining sector. It draws attention to the structural relations of power institutionalised and reproduced by past regulatory frameworks, in order to analyse how this heritage has conditioned approaches to artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and, in turn, policy proposals. The article uses ASM as an example to illustrate the need to rethink appropriate categories to capture shifting boundaries and to re-assess approaches as preconditions to renew institutional reform and policy processes from a country-specific and participative perspective.