Dangers of the Market Discourse: for Partnerships in Natural Resource Management

Kelly DM¹*

1. Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

The principles underpinning the market are sometimes in conflict with the principles of community engagement. Likewise, maintaining natural resources, or natural capital, is not always consistent with the development of economic capital. Because our rural landscapes are multi-functional, the natural, economic, social and human capital are interrelated. Multi-stakeholder partnerships are essential. Inconsistencies in different ways of thinking needs to considered in community engagement process.

Economic systems rely for their success on the value of services that flow from the stock of natural, social, human and financial capital. Decision-making processes which allow trade-offs, while building overall the assets base are required.

The market is based on a particular form of reasoned thinking, that of economic rationality. Other forms of rationalities exist, including communicative rationality, ecological rationality and scientific rationality are other forms of rationalities. This paper explores the different kinds of rationalities which influence our thinking today, especially as related to natural resource management.

Over the years, many have expressed concerns about the impact of some types of rational thinking. Far from the Habermasian belief that people’s ability to reason and think rationally will lead to a democratic society, the reverse may occur. Even Marx recognised the power of capitalism to change consciousness with negative consequences. The arguments of current Australian economists are used to highlight the basis of some of the impediments such as poor trust between stakeholders.

Making explicit these impediments allows participants to develop strategies to shield the community engagement process from any negative influences. This increases the likelihood of developing effective multi-stakeholder partnerships.

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