Qualitative Policy Analysis Research Articles

Global Problems and/or Local Solutions: Teaching and Learning Physical Education in the Wake of OECD Education 2030

This paper investigates physical education through a reading of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s 2019 report Making Physical Education Dynamic and Inclusive for 2030. Adopting a qualitative policy analysis approach, we identify and discuss the problems outlined in the report, and its proposed solutions for the future of physical education. Physical education appears in the pages of this document as a container for societal problems related to global physical activity, health, and academic performance. We aim to provide a critique of the OECD report, and suggest topics that require further discussion, such as the dependence of quality teaching and learning on local solutions. We also place more emphasis on local sustainable knowledge in physical education.

Involvement in serious incident investigations: a qualitative documentary analysis of NHS trust policies in England

BackgroundThe considered shift from individual blame and sanctions towards a commitment to system-wide learning from incidents in healthcare has led to increased understanding of both the moral and epistemic importance of involving those affected. It is important to understand whether and how local policy describes and prompts involvement with a view to understanding the policy landscape for serious incident investigations in healthcare.This study aimed to explore the way in which involvement of those affected by serious incidents is represented in incident investigation policy documents across acute and mental health services in the English NHS, and to identify guidance for more effective construction of policy for meaningful involvement.MethodsWe conducted a documentary analysis of 43 local serious incident investigation policies to explore the way in which involvement in serious incident investigations is represented in policy documents across acute and mental health services in the NHS in England.ResultsThree headline findings were generated. First, we identified involvement as a concept was conspicuous by its absence in policy documents. Direct reference to support or involvement of those affected by serious incidents was lacking. Even where involvement and support were recognised as important, this was described as a passive process rather than there being moral or epistemic justification for more active contribution to learning. Second, learning from serious incidents was typically described as a high priority but the language used was unclear and ‘learning’ was more often positioned as construction of an arbitrary set of recommendations rather than a participatory process of deconstruction and reconstruction of specific systems and processes. Third, there was an emphasis placed on a just and open culture but paradoxically this was reinforced by expected compliance, positioning investigations as a tool through which action is governed rather than an opportunity to learn from and with the experiences and expertise of those affected.ConclusionsMore effective representation in policy of the moral and epistemic reasons for stakeholder involvement in serious incident investigations may lead to better understanding of its importance, thus increasing potential for organisational learning and reducing the potential for compounded harm. Moreover, understanding how structural elements of policy documents were central to the way in which the document is framed and received is significant for both local and national policy makers to enable more effective construction of healthcare policy documents to prompt meaningful action.

The impacts of the intended transition of Pakistan from geo-politics to geo-economics

This research explores the implications of Pakistan's intended transition from geo-politics to geo-economics on its foreign policy, analysing the shift through the lens of neoliberalism. The study investigates the economic realignments, foreign policy strategies, and impacts on security and defence posture post-transition. Employing qualitative analysis of policy documents, trade agreements, and economic indicators, the research provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play. Key findings reveal that Pakistan's geo-economic reorientation has been driven by factors such as globalization, regional integration, and economic diplomacy. Pakistan pursued a more balanced foreign policy, seeking to expand its strategic interests through economic partnerships. Economic reforms have been central to this shift, including privatisation, investment facilitation, and trade liberalisation. However, the transition has also highlighted challenges such as uneven economic growth, dependence on foreign capital, and balancing economic objectives with security concerns. The research concludes that Pakistan's foreign policy has evolved from a traditional geopolitical focus to a more economically oriented approach. While the transition has presented opportunities for growth and development, it has also necessitated a reassessment of security strategies and balancing economic and political objectives. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for navigating the complex geopolitical landscape and achieving sustainable regional development.

Strengthening university capacity in regional innovation ecosystem through the participation in the European Universities initiative

ABSTRACT In this paper, we explore how participation in the strategic partnerships of the European University Alliances (EUAs) facilitates university capacity in regional development. The study utilizes the Quadruple Helix theoretical model and contributes to the literature on transnational university alliances in regional innovation ecosystems. A qualitative analysis of policy documents, media reports on EUA developments, alliance goals, and university implementation strategies is conducted within the context of Lithuanian higher education. In Lithuania’s case, the primary rationale for participating in the EU initiative is both academic and economic. Furthermore, it is framed as addressing higher education challenges such as a low internationalization level, a mismatch between human capital and labour market needs, and the attractiveness of higher education. To achieve the strategic goals of the alliances, universities build networks including cross-sectoral linkages and engage in co-creation activities. The expanded and deepened interactions among different organizational spheres (helices) aim to foster innovation in national HE policy, strengthen university capacity through organizational innovation, and re-design teaching and research to drive social and economic transformations.

Understanding the evolution of competing institutional logics in the marketization of care: A stage model analysis of Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme

This study explores the marketization of healthcare through a stage model analysis, focusing on Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). By employing mixed methods, including sentiment and frequency analysis as well as qualitative content analysis of policy documents and media coverage, we trace the NDIS's evolution and the interplay of competing social welfare and market logics over time. Our findings underline that the evolution and interplay between competing institutional logics follow a stage model of institutional change, detailing pre-emergence, orientation, contestation, consolidation, and normalization phases. Additionally, we observe a shift in dominant institutional logics across different stages, demonstrating the critical role of media and public sentiment in shaping discourse about the marketization of care, which intertwines with policy decision-making. Our findings emphasize the importance of adaptive engagement and communication strategies by policymakers to avoid marginalizing vulnerable groups as institutional logics evolve, especially in the latter stages of the process when a dominant logic has emerged. The study highlights the complex dynamics of institutional change and offers insights for both researchers and practitioners in the healthcare sector, shedding light on the coevolution of competing logics in the policy development and implementation process.

Constructing a Socio-Legal Framework Proposal for Governing Large Language Model Usage and Application in Education

Due to the fast-changing environments caused by artificial intelligence development, the socio-technical challenge in contemporary educational systems focuses on the need for more regulative measures guiding system stakeholders’ behavior. In fulfilling the present legal gap, enacted soft law regulation has been laid out, and a detailed systematic literature review was conducted in the paper presented. The specific methodological approach was selected to deal with two crucial research tasks: to reveal and recommend fundamental governing mechanisms regarding the use and application of generative artificial intelligence; more precisely, large language models in educational systems. Three systematically guided layers of quantitative and qualitative content analysis of central policy, legislation, and regulatory mechanisms in governing AI in education were extracted from the 142 Scopus Database and Web of Science research papers analyzed and presented. These research findings benefit policymakers, regulatory and legislative bodies, and agencies in constructing governing frames for using and applying generative artificial intelligence in education.

Strategies for Land Economic Development in South Delhi District

This research paper examines the land economic development strategies in South Delhi, focusing on their impact on the socio-economic and spatial dynamics of the region. South Delhi, a diverse and economically vibrant district within the National Capital Region of India, presents a unique case study to explore how tailored land use policies and economic planning can foster sustainable growth. Using a mixed-method approach, this study integrates qualitative analysis of policy documents, stakeholder interviews, and quantitative assessment of economic indicators to analyze land use changes, economic transformations, and policy effectiveness from 2011 to 2021. The analysis spans both macro and micro levels, investigating transformations in key areas like Mehrauli, Lado Sarai, and Aya Nagar. Findings highlight significant shifts in land use from agricultural to residential and commercial purposes, driven by rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and policy reforms. While certain strategies have effectively promoted economic growth, challenges such as environmental degradation, congestion, uneven policy enforcement, and socio- economic disparities persist. The study underscores the need for sustainable land use planning, improved infrastructure, stakeholder collaboration, and adaptive governance frameworks to balance economic growth with social equity and environmental sustainability The research offers comprehensive insights and practical recommendations for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders to optimize land economic development strategies in South Delhi, with implications for similar urban contexts globally. The study advocates for a holistic approach that integrates sustainable development, community engagement, and resilient policy frameworks to create livable and prosperous urban environments. Index Terms— Land Economic Development Strategies,South Delhi, Socio-Economic Dynamics ,Spatial Dynamics, Land Use Policies ,Economic Planning ,Sustainable Growth ,Mixed-Method Approach, Policy Documents, Stakeholder Interviews, Economic Indicators, Land Use Changes, Urbanization, Infrastructure Development ,Policy Reforms Environmental Degradation, Socio- Economic Disparities ,Sustainable Land Use Planning, Stakeholder Collaboration, Adaptive Governance, Urban Environments.

Extending comparative typologies of diaspora policies: Towards a "cautiously proactive" diaspora policy state

In the past two decades, the 'diaspora turn' in research and policy has led to the development of several typologies of diaspora policies around the world. This study explores and extends Francesco Ragazzi's established 2014 global typology of diaspora policies. We use in-depth qualitative analysis of Czech diaspora policies to assess the internal validity of the typology and identify new dimensions that are central to our understanding of diaspora politics. We then replicate Ragazzi's quantitative analysis with the inclusion of new data on the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and Poland, assessing the typology's external validity. We find a new cluster of diaspora policy types, characterized by a “cautiously proactive” mix of diaspora policy mechanisms based on relatively generous cultural and citizenship policies, variably accentuated symbolic policies and limited social and economic policies. We suggest that this mix has been structured by the tension between the countries' commitment to a (neo) liberal emigration regime and the continued importance of ethno-cultural conceptions of nationhood. In addition, we identify three new variables that should be included in future typologies: 1) the volume and distribution of funding for diaspora policy; 2) the symbolic recognition of diaspora in the legal system; 3) policy differentiation among different kinds of diaspora. Our mixed-method approach illustrates the importance of using nuanced qualitative data to provide a meaningful depiction of policy.

Municipal circular economy indicators: Do they measure the cities' environmental ambitions?

Circular economy (CE) is gaining traction in cities as an approach to reducing local and global environmental impacts. Yet, how effective are these strategies in terms of their environmental impacts? To find out, we took a deep dive into 30 CE policies from cities in high-income countries across Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. We assessed the relevance of their indicator sets with regards to their major environmental concerns. To do so, we conducted a qualitative analysis of policy documents published in eight languages, examining common environmental goals, concerns, and progress indicators of various cities. The review reveals a broad spectrum of municipal CE policies, from waste management to climate action. Key concerns include climate mitigation and securing local resource availability, but overall, very diverse environmental targets could be identified. Some of these targets aim at local impacts such as air quality and public health, while others envision global impacts such as biodiversity conservation and intergenerational justice. While greenhouse gas emissions of territorial scope are frequently monitored, the indicator sets mostly ignore that climate mitigation involves a footprint scope. Moreover, the sets mostly lack indicators to monitor other environmental pressures and impacts. To better monitor these, we provide a set of recommendations for research and policy to bridge the gap between environmental concerns and indicator needs. We suggest complementing current resource flow dominated indicator sets with measures of the local environmental state and the application of urban footprint models to help cities monitor the desired global environmental impact of their measures.

Qualitative comparative analysis of policies implemented by 26 European countries during the 2020 great lockdown.

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, from March 1 to April 15, 2020, significant variations emerged among countries regarding the implementation of lockdown policies. During this period, viewed strictly from an epidemiological perspective, lockdown measures are considered the most effective means of containing a pandemic. However, the adoption of such measures varied, raising questions about whether the reluctance or failure of countries to implement lockdown policies reflected a disregard for epidemiological knowledge or stemmed from an inability to enforce these measures. This article employs Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) with 26 European countries as case studies to investigate under what combination of conditions a country would implement lockdown policies. The QCA results identify three distinct combinations of conditions that lead countries to implement lockdown measures. First, countries with relatively concentrated political power are more likely to implement lockdown policies. Among the 10 countries governed by a majority party or majority coalition within a two-party or moderate multi-party system, seven implemented lockdown policies. Second, in cases of relatively dispersed political power, countries facing state fragility risks are more likely to implement lockdown policies. Among the eight countries that meet both conditions, five implemented lockdown policies. Finally, factors such as political heritage, severity of the pandemic, demographic composition, healthcare access, quality standards, and the ruling party's ideology play a lesser role in the decision to enact lockdown measures. This article offers a novel perspective on the dynamics of party politics and state capacity in the context of decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between political systems and public health crisis management, highlighting how various political and governance factors influence the adoption of public health interventions during crises.

The Governance, Policy, Process, and Capacity of Health Workforce Regulation and Accreditation: Qualitative Policy Analysis and Evidence from Palestine.

The significant health development achieved in Palestine last decades has been lost, in Gaza particularly. This requires fundamental health system reform and rebuilding, including health workforces. Strengthening health workforces involves essential elements: leadership, finance, policy, education, partnership, and management. The current unprecedented catastrophe in Gaza and overall instability in Palestine show the utmost necessity for rethinking and reforming all pillars of the already collapsed health system, including the workforce. Health Workforce Accreditation and Regulation (HWAR) standardizes healthcare evaluations, representing a critical research area in Palestine due to limited existing knowledge. This study aims to enhance understanding of the HWAR in Palestine, and identify gaps and weaknesses, thereby enhancing the HWAR's development and optimization. This qualitative study used an inductive approach to explore the landscape of HWAR. Data were collected from October to November 2019, when 22 semi-structured in-depth interviews - were conducted with experts, academics, leaders, and policymakers purposely selected from government, academia, and non-governmental organization sectors. Data analysis, namely, thematic and ground theory, was performed using Excel and MS programs. The study revealed an absence of transparent governance and ineffective communication within HWAR systems. National policies and guidelines are problematic, with HWAR mechanisms fractured and needing reform. Licensing for healthcare workers hinges on local education, while monitoring and evaluation of HWAR are deficient. Some institutions adhere to HWAR standards, yet widespread updates and applications are necessary. Coordination among educational, accreditation, and practice sectors is non-systematic. Adequate human resources exist, but we need to improve HWAR management. Operational and political challenges limit HWAR, leading to a focus on immediate responses over sustainable system integration. Boosting HWAR is critical for Palestine, especially after the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis that led to the dysfunction of the entire health system facilities. A collaborative strategy across sectors is needed to improve governance and outcomes. It is essential to foster strategic dialogue among academia, regulatory entities, and healthcare providers to enhance the HWAR system. Further study on HWAR's effectiveness is recommended.

Critical Role of Sociology in Sustainable Development and Social Equity

This study examines the critical role of sociology in ensuring sustainable development within a nation. Despite the recognition of sustainable development's importance, the practical application of sociological insights remains underexplored, creating a significant knowledge gap. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, including qualitative analysis of policy documents and quantitative surveys of public attitudes, this research identifies key areas where sociology informs policy decisions, promotes social equity, and fosters community engagement for environmental protection. Findings reveal that sociological perspectives significantly impact the development and implementation of effective sustainability initiatives. Results highlight the necessity of integrating sociological insights with policymaking processes to address complex societal issues and achieve sustainable development. This study implies that greater collaboration between sociologists, policymakers, and community leaders is essential for navigating the challenges of a sustainable future.

Upaya Menormalisasikan LGBT oleh Aktivis di Amerika Serikat: Perjuangan dan Tantangan

This research examines efforts to normalize the LGBT community by activists in the United States, with a focus on the struggles and challenges they face. Through qualitative analysis of various advocacy strategies, campaigns and policies implemented, this study reveals how LGBT activism seeks to create a more inclusive and accepted environment in society. This research also explores the role of the media, government agencies and non-government organizations in supporting or hindering this normalization process. Challenges faced include cultural resistance, institutional discrimination, and changing political and social dynamics. The research findings show that despite significant progress in the recognition of LGBT rights, activism continues to face major challenges that require a strategic and collaborative approach to overcome. In doing so, this research provides in-depth insight into the complexities of the LGBT normalization struggle in the United States and suggests policies and practices that can accelerate the process of social inclusion.

Form and functioning: contextualising the start of the Global Financing Facility policy processes in Burkina Faso

ABSTRACT Background Burkina Faso joined the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF) in 2017 to address persistent gaps in funding for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH-N). Few empirical papers deal with how global funding mechanisms, and specifically GFF, support resource mobilisation for health nationally. Objective This study describes the policy processes of developing the GFF planning documents (the Investment Case and Project Appraisal Document) in Burkina Faso. Methods We conducted an exploratory qualitative policy analysis. Data collection included document review (N = 74) and in-depth semi-structured interviews (N = 23). Data were analysed based on the components of the health policy triangle. Results There was strong national political support to RMNCAH-N interventions, and the process of drawing up the investment case (IC) and the project appraisal document was inclusive and multi-sectoral. Despite high-level policy commitments, subsequent implementation of the World Bank project, including the GFF contribution, was perceived by respondents as challenging, even after the project restructuring process occurred. These challenges were due to ongoing policy fragmentation for RMNCAH-N, navigation of differing procedures and perspectives between stakeholders in the setting up of the work, overcoming misunderstandings about the nature of the GFF, and weak institutional anchoring of the IC. Insecurity and political instability also contributed to observed delays and difficulties in implementing the commitments agreed upon. To tackle these issues, transformational and distributive leaderships should be promoted and made effective. Conclusions Few studies have examined national policy processes linked to the GFF or other global health initiatives. This kind of research is needed to better understand the range of challenges in aligning donor and national priorities encountered across diverse health systems contexts. This study may stimulate others to ensure that the GFF and other global health initiatives respond to local needs and policy environments for better implementation.

Masculinist Actionism: Gender and Strategic Change in US Cyber Strategy

How do gender hierarchies inform processes of strategic change? Drawing upon feminist institutionalism and security studies, we argue that gender hierarchies form the boundaries of acceptability for strategic change. We conduct a qualitative feminist analysis of cyber strategy policy documents and expert commentary around a 2018 shift in US cyber strategy. We identify two ideal-typical modes of masculinity—military and “tech”—as influential in conditioning US cyber strategy. The interaction of these masculinities facilitated the emergence of “defending forward” and “persistent engagement” as proactive, dynamic, and suitably masculine new strategic concepts. The previously preferred strategic concept, deterrence, conversely, was constructed in line with feminized tropes as weak, passive, and reactive. Strategic change is facilitated by a change in the meaning of a specific gender norm—masculinized action—while still constrained by the continuation of a broader gender hierarchy of masculinities over femininities, and the associated valorization of action over passivity and dependence.

When fairness is an abstraction: equity and AI in Swedish compulsory education

ABSTRACT The paper emphasises the need to consider the social, political, and economic contexts within which educational systems operate and use Artificial Intelligence (AI). Focused on Swedish compulsory education, this study explores whether the use of AI envisioned by national authorities and educational technology companies contributes to unfairness. Through qualitative content analysis of Swedish policy documents and educational company reports, the study employs the concept of Relevant Social Groups to assess how diverse stakeholders perceive the risks and benefits of using AI in education regarding fairness. Three distinct groups are identified, each prioritising different forms of “efficiency” as a key value—economic, pedagogical, and accessibility-related. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the intricate interplay between fairness and the use of AI in the Swedish educational system. It also questions the concept of fairness revolving around formal equality of opportunities that separates fairness from the broader context of social justice.

How integration of refugees into national health systems became a global priority: a qualitative policy analysis.

Despite a long history of political discourse around refugee integration, it wasn't until 2016 that this issue emerged as a global political priority. Limited research has examined the evolution of policies of global actors around health service provision to refugees and how refugee integration into health systems came onto the global agenda. This study seeks to fill this gap. Drawing on a document review of 20 peer-reviewed articles, 46 global policies and reports, and 18 semi-structured interviews with actors representing various bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental organizations involved with refugee health policy and funding, we analyze factors that have shaped the global policy priority of integration. We use the Shiffman and Smith Policy Framework on determinants of political priority to organize our findings. Several important factors generated global priority for refugee integration into national health systems. Employing the above-mentioned framework, actor power increased due to network expansion through collaborations between humanitarian and development actors. Ideas took hold through the framing of integration as a human rights and responsibility sharing. While political context was influenced through several global movements, it was ultimately the influx of Syrian refugees into Europe and the increasing securitization of the refugee crisis that led to key policies, and critically, global funding to support integration within refugee hosting nations. Finally, issue characteristics, namely the magnitude of the global refugee crisis, its protractedness and the increasing urbanicity of refugee inflows, led integration to emerge as a manageable solution. The past decade has seen a substantial reframing of refugee integration, along with increased financing sources and increased collaboration, explains this shift towards their integration into health systems. However, despite the emergence of integration as a global political priority, the extent to which efforts around integration have translated into action at the national level remains uncertain.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Class Inequalities within the British Documentary Film Industry

While there is a considerable amount of scholarship and grey literature about social exclusions within the UK cultural industries, the sociology of cultural labour has paid little attention to documentary film-making as a relatively elitist occupation that is maintained by systemic inequalities. Based on semi-structured interviews with several independent documentary film-makers about their own labouring subjectivities, and qualitative analysis of relevant academic literature and cultural policies, this article critically explores how class inequalities are understood, reproduced, negotiated or resisted within contemporary British documentary film-making. The research findings demonstrate that documentarians from socially disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to face significant obstacles in the film-making sector than their privileged counterparts. While the majority of respondents are aware of structural disadvantages, champion more inclusive forms of creativity and are committed to improving discriminatory working conditions, a small number of participants believe that the social relations of documentary film production are meritocratic, can be characterised by their celebration of neoliberal values and a willingness to defend the industry's employment practices. The article concludes with a series of recommendations for creative organisations, government and policymakers.

Disaster management and mitigation strategies in Zambia: A systematic review

Overview: This paper provides an overview of disaster management and mitigation strategies in Zambia. Drawing upon a range of academic literature, government reports, and field studies, it examines the various natural and human-induced disasters that Zambia faces, including floods, droughts, disease outbreaks, and industrial accidents. The paper analyzes the country's disaster management framework, highlights key institutions, policies and stakeholders involved in disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts. Contribution to the Body of Knowledge: Basing on community-based approaches to disaster risk reduction and resilience building, the paper emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and participation in the mitigation of the impacts of disasters. It contributes to the ongoing discourse on enhancing resilience and reducing the impact of disasters on vulnerable populations and environments; and the development of more robust and sustainable disaster management and mitigation strategies that can better protect lives, livelihoods and ecosystems in the face of future disasters. Methods: The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative analysis of policy documents and literature reviews with quantitative assessments of food production, consumption patterns, and socioeconomic indicators. Data was collected from various sources, including government reports, academic publications, and international organizations. Data was obtained from respondents by means of interviews, questionnaires and project observation schedules. The sample consisted of two hundred and fifty respondents. Frequency, percentages, tables, graphs and pie-charts were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data obtained. Data was then analyzed manually in some cases and also, a combination of software MS Access and MS Excel. Results: Effective disaster management and mitigation require a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach that integrates preparedness, risk reduction, community engagement, innovation, and global cooperation. By prioritizing resilience-building measures and investing in proactive strategies, societies can mitigate the impact of disasters and foster sustainable development in the face of evolving challenges. Recommendation: governments, organizations, and communities should work together to build more resilient societies and minimize the devastating effects of disasters.

The political economy of deforestation in the Colombian Amazon

The Colombian Amazon has experienced rapid forest loss in the past decades due to growing colonization, infrastructure development, and commercial agriculture expansion. While much of the analyses of deforestation in the Amazon have been in Brazil, there is a need to extend to Colombia where forest and land use exploitation are driven by post-conflict social and political dynamics. This research contributes to this knowledge gap by unpacking the mechanisms underpinning deforestation on the northwestern side of the Colombian Amazon. We used theory-building process-tracing to guide us in conceptualizing the underlying logics of deforestation in the region through qualitative text analysis of policy documents, articles, reports, and grey literature, and virtual semi-structured interviews with key national, regional and local actors. Findings indicate that the power vacuum resulting from the demobilization of FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia), Marxist-Leninist guerrillas, acted as a window of opportunity for peasants, squatters, narco-traffickers, cattle ranchers, landlords, and other investors to access public lands and capitalize from converting forests to coca crops and pastures for cattle ranching. Accumulation of land and surplus primarily from cattle ranching and coca production has increased the ability of these actors to reshape the landscape and societal structures. Traditional elites and old and emerging narco-bourgeoisie have capitalized on preexisting power asymmetries by disproportionally accumulating land, money, gun power, influence, and prestige seeking to consolidate territorial hegemony, and controlling the means for material reproduction in society. Powerful actors use their resources and prestige to displace historically marginalized groups – such as indigenous communities, peasants and squatters – from their means of subsistence and production, resulting in the installation of a capitalist economy based on land rent and drug trafficking, where less powerful and marginalized actors engage in deforestation as means for capital accumulation and subsidizing their peasant and subsistence economies. All this has deepened forest loss, inequalities, and conflict over land access between actors.