Evaluating Collective Action in the Pacific Islands Through Commitment to Narrative-Networks

Abstract

In Pacific Island nations, environmental degradation is happening at a rapid rate, primarily due to global climate change. Transnational environmental governance networks are emerging that include the Pacific Island nations, NGOs, INGOs, and states that are external to the region (e.g., the United States and France) in order to mitigate for these changes. These decision-making bodies face unique problems of collective action, where major institutions in the region have low levels of capacity or are largely questioned by the people, the costs of mitigation are either regionally or globally diffuse, and the benefits of collective action would unequally benefit specific marginal communities. This presentation looks at if and how these environmental networks overcome collective action problems. While not addressing the full range of issues that can influence the collective action problem, I argue that a greater understanding of commitment can shed light onto the ways in which individuals make choices to move their time and organizational resources into transnational environmental governance networks. This commitment is strengthened through the formation of “narrative-networks,” or networks that coalesce around a particular storyline. The use of characterization — heroes, villains, and victims, both human and nonhuman — creates an “us” and “them,” which increases the level of commitment to the network that can overcome collective action problems. In this presentation, the context for othering is examined, as well as the gaps in the conventional narrative that are employed by the narrative-networks.