The politics of coproduction during Latin America's 'Pink Tide': Water, housing, and waste in comparative perspective. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goodwin, Geoff; O'Hare, Patrick; Sheild Johansson, Miranda; Alderman, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: World development. Volume 157(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Coproduction -- Water -- Housing -- Waste -- Latin America; Economic history -- 1990- -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 330.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.105930
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-750X

Abstract

Highlights: Analysis of the coproduction of water, housing and waste services reveals coproduction as an intrinsically political process. Coproduction's tendency to promote engagement with and autonomy from the state is a key source of political tension. Political subjects are shaped through coproduction and this creates opportunities and antagonism. Political struggles emerge as governments attempt to develop and embed their political projects through coproduction. Exploring the coproduction of public services shines light on broader processes of political change in Latin America. Abstract: Coproduction brings together a diverse range of state and non-state actors to create and deliver public services. These processes, which occur across the Global South, have been widely studied. However, insufficient critical attention has been paid to their politics. We address this gap in the literature by analysing the politics of coproduction in Latin America during the 'pink tide' of the early twenty-first century. Drawing on original qualitative research, this article explores the coproduction of three distinct public services—water, housing, and waste—in three countries where left-leaning presidents and governments were elected into office—Ecuador, Bolivia, and Uruguay. We argue that coproduction is intrinsically political in these three cases; that is, the 'political' is internal to, and inherent in, coproduction. Our comparative analysis centres on two political dimensions—subject-making and collective autonomy—and shows that tensions around these two issues were central to coproduction in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Uruguay . The article demonstrates the importance of not treating politics as a mere contextual concern in coproduction analysis and shows that coproduction has the capacity to reshape political relationships and subjectivities. Taking politics into account is essential to understanding the dynamics and potential of coproduction in the Global South. Our comparative analysis also provides new insights into Latin American politics, especially concerning 'pink tide' governments and the provisioning of public services.