Authoritarian Environmentalism-Captured Collaboration in Vietnamese Water Management

Area of Science:

• Environmental governance
• Political science
• Water resource management

Background:

• Vietnam's water management is influenced by its dependence on seasonal flooding.
• Authoritarian political structures shape environmental governance approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine collaborative environmental governance within authoritarian contexts.
• To identify key features of water management governance in Vietnam (2009-2019).

Main Methods:

• Fieldwork conducted between 2009 and 2019.
• Analysis based on the theoretical framework of authoritarian environmentalism.

Main Results:

• Key features identified: technocratisation and authoritarian intensification.
• These features result in "captured collaboration," demonstrating strong state control.
• Decisions prioritize technocratic solutions over local knowledge and deliberation.

Conclusions:

• "Captured collaboration" remains dominant but faces increasing calls for deliberative approaches.
• Contested issues like hydropower and floods highlight societal demands for change.
• A delayed paradigm shift towards more inclusive governance is emerging.