Ecological Literacy - Agri-culture: Reconnecting People, Land and Nature - page 154

Social and Human Relations as Prerequisites
for Improving Nature
New configurations of social and human relationships are prerequisites
for long-term improvements in nature. Without changes in thinking, and
the appropriate trust in others to act differently, too, there is little hope
for long-term sustainability. It is true that natural capital can be improved
in the short term with no explicit attention paid to social and human
capital. Regulations and economic incentives are commonly used to
encourage changes in behaviour, such as the establishment of strictly
protected areas, regulations for erosion control, and economic incentives
for habitat protection. But though these may change behaviour, they do
not guarantee a change in attitudes: farmers commonly revert to old
practices when the incentives end or regulations are no longer enforced. 14
There are quite different outcomes when social relations and human
capacity are changed. External agencies or individuals can work with
individuals in order to increase their knowledge and skills, their leadership
capacity and their motivations to act. They can work with communities
to create the conditions for the emergence of new local associations with
appropriate rules and norms for resource management. If these succeed
in leading to the desired improvements in natural resources, then this has
a positive feedback on both social and human assets. When people are
organized in groups, and their knowledge is sought, incorporated and built
upon during planning and implementation, then they are more likely to
sustain activities after project completion. 15 Michael Cernea's study of 25
completed World Bank projects found that long-term sustainability was
only guaranteed when local institutions were strong. Contrary to expect-
ations at the time of project completion, projects failed when there had
been no focus on institutional development and local participation. 16
There is a danger, of course, of appearing too optimistic about local
groups and their capacity to deliver economic and environmental benefits.
We must be aware of the divisions and differences within, and between,
communities, and how conflicts can result in environmental damage. Not
all forms of social relations are necessarily good for everyone in a
community. A society may be well organized, have strong institutions and
have embedded reciprocal mechanisms, but may be based on fear and
power, such as in feudal, hierarchical, racist and unjust societies. Formal
rules and norms can also trap people within harmful social arrangements.
Again, a system may appear to have high levels of social assets, with strong
families and religious groups, but contain abused individuals or those in
conditions of slavery or other forms of exploitation. Some associations