Failures of political decentralization in promoting network governance in the forest sector: Observations from Italy. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Secco, Laura; Favero, Matteo; Masiero, Mauro; Pettenella, Davide Matteo
• Is Part Of: Land use policy. Volume 62(2017)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Decentralization -- Network forest governance -- Local governments -- Power delegation -- Narrative policy analysis -- Forest sector -- Italy; Land use -- Periodicals; Land use -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Sol, Utilisation du -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation du -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.7305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.11.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-8377

Abstract

Abstract: Decentralization has been the most remarkable reform process that has occurred in the institutional arrangements and framework in Italy, a country of contrasts and contradictions with neglected – but increasing – forest resources and a limited range of actors' networks able to make the sector more modern and dynamic. On the basis of a qualitative-based document analysis and observations collected in three case-study Regions (Veneto, Molise and Sicily), our paper aims to provide interpretations of the failures in network forest governance in Italy connected with the decentralization policy process. Our findings show that Italy is experiencing several of the recurrent problems highlighted for decentralization in other countries, including difficulties in creating the conditions for more network-based governance initiatives with the involvement of local community and civil society. Problems have been exacerbated by the financial and political crisis and the consequent spending review. However, some encouraging signals also exist.