Trusting the People and the System. The Interrelation Between Interpersonal and Institutional Trust in Collective Action for Agri-Environmental Management

Jasper R De Vries,Raoul Beunen,Eva Van Der Zee,Peter H Feindt,Rianne Kat

doi:10.3390/su11247022

Abstract

Agri-environmental schemes have been introduced in numerous countries to combat biodiversity loss in agrarian landscapes that are important for both food production and biodiversity. The successful operation of such schemes depends strongly upon trust between actors involved, as well as trust in institutions that govern these schemes. However, the interplay between interpersonal and institutional trust in the context of collective action for agri-environmental management is not well understood. To address this question, we explore the case of agri-environmental management in the province of Drenthe (in The Netherlands), where a new policy model was implemented. This case shows how both institutional design and institutional performance critically influence trust dynamics. Under the old policy model, farmers struggled with auditing and control, which fostered mistrust and hampered collective action. Under the new model, a landscape approach, more responsibilities were delegated to farmers, and more room was created for interaction, which fostered trust both between actors and in institutions. Based on our findings, we conclude that institutional designs that reflect trust in the actors can foster interpersonal and institutional trust that, in turn, facilitates collective action. However, old arrangements can also create path dependencies that limit trust development and impede collective action for agri-environmental management.

Highlights

Agri-environmental schemes are considered important tools for the conservation of cultural landscapes and to combat biodiversity loss [1]
Whereas the old policy model was designed for minimal interaction through audit and control, the new policy model strongly stimulated interaction and cooperation, audits and control still remain in place
This study addressed the question: “How does the institutional design of collective agri-environmental policy influence interpersonal and institutional trust and their interrelation?” Through this question, we aimed to contribute to a better understanding of the empirically underexplored relation between institutional trust and interpersonal trust

Summary

Introduction

Agri-environmental schemes are considered important tools for the conservation of cultural landscapes and to combat biodiversity loss [1]. Agri-environmental schemes that include conservation measures, as well as restrictive measures, have the potential to enhance the conservation of biodiversity on farmland [2]. Through agri-environmental schemes, farmers can voluntarily participate in an agreement to implement certain measures on parts of their farmland that benefit biodiversity, the environment, or the landscape [3]. Despite many efforts, agri-environmental policies are generally considered to be ineffective [2]. One of the main objections is that agri-environmental schemes are often too heavily based on management by individual farmers, while a collective landscape approach to conserve biodiversity that is carefully designed and targeted is required [1,2]

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