Theoretical Advances in Community-Based Natural Resources Management: Ostrom and Beyond

Since the publication of Elinor Ostrom's seminal work on common property institutions and natural resources management (NRM) in the early 1990s, there have been considerable advances in theoretical and policy debates relating to community-based NRM. While community institutions continue to remain a strong element, the recent shifts in scholarly debates are varied and diverse, but not often adequately mapped out and synthesized to present a wider picture of such evolving rich theoretical terrain. The aim of this chapter is to situate Elinor Ostrom's work in relation to contemporary advances in natural resource governance theories and practical innovations that are taking place in Asia. We chart out five key domains of critical advances, namely (1) decentralization, (2) participation, (3) social equity, (4) deliberative governance, and (5) critical action research. We map out how Ostrom's works are linked to these domains and demonstrate the ways in which Ostrom's ideas are being transformed, reproduced, or discontinued. In doing so, we also identify gaps and issues in Ostrom's framework in the context of contemporary NRM challenges. We argue that there is a need to work toward revitalization of Ostrom's core programs of common pool resource management in the context of unprecedented socioeconomic and environmental change.