Who is satisfied with their inclusion in polycentric sustainability governance? Networks, power, and procedural justice in Swiss wetlands

Sustainability governance in polycentric systems needs to ensure both effectiveness and procedural justice. Effectiveness and procedural justice are intricately linked to power dynamics in governance. To assess polycentric sustainability governance, understanding different types, sources, and effects of power is key. Here, we investigate network-derived bonding and bridging social capital of actors as specific sources of power in polycentric sustainability governance. We ask two questions: How does bridging and bonding social capital translate into power? And: How is the power associated with satisfaction with inclusion? We relate levels of bonding and bridging social capital to power and satisfaction with inclusion in governance processes for 299 actors in 10 cases of Swiss wetlands governance. Using a Bayesian multi-level regression model, we find that especially bonding social capital is a source of power for actors. Further, network-derived power but also nonnetwork-derived power by design translates into satisfaction with inclusion. Research and practice of sustainability governance need to be careful to account for power in nuanced ways, acknowledging its sources and relation to procedural justice.

Automated summary

Sustainability governance in polycentric systems should ensure both effectiveness and procedural justice, which are closely linked to power dynamics. Understanding different types, sources, and effects of power is crucial for assessing polycentric sustainability governance. This study investigates the role of network-derived bonding and bridging social capital as specific sources of power, and explores the relationship between power and satisfaction with inclusion in governance processes. The findings suggest that bonding social capital is a significant source of power for actors, and both network-derived and non-network-derived power contribute to satisfaction with inclusion.