Intersection of Public and Private Authority in Forest Governance in Southeast Asia: Towards a Theory of the Emergence, and Intersecting Potential, of 'Legality Verification' in the Global Forest Sector

Abstract

Within the last few years a major shift have occurred in global forest governance. Previously there was an emphasis on treaties and international organizations, but in recent years private governance in the form of certification and legality verification have become the norm. This paper investigates and hypothesizes about, legality verification as a mechanism for creating authoritative and durable governance through intersection and 'policy baskets.' We look closely at the US Lacey Act, the European Union's FLEGT process as well as the support for legality verification in Malaysia and Indonesia.