Going upstream: a pluri-ontological analysis and proposal for Brazilian participatory water governance

Despite the growing emphasis on ontological pluralism in environmental policy debates, innovation within national state environmental governance and management remains limited. This article outlines a conceptual framework for ontological inclusion and exclusion to examine constraints and opportuniti...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Thomas Rickard, David Ludwig, Raoni Rajão
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Ecosystems and People
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2024.2405683
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849688448677445632
author Thomas Rickard
David Ludwig
Raoni Rajão
author_facet Thomas Rickard
David Ludwig
Raoni Rajão
author_sort Thomas Rickard
collection DOAJ
description Despite the growing emphasis on ontological pluralism in environmental policy debates, innovation within national state environmental governance and management remains limited. This article outlines a conceptual framework for ontological inclusion and exclusion to examine constraints and opportunities in Brazilian participatory water governance. This involves an ontological policy cycle of the Suaçuí state river basin, a participatory process for water-body classification, and a water-body-classification instrument. River ontologies of the Suaçuí river basin and participatory process were found to be excluded from the water-body classification instrument through various practices and modes of exclusion. Relational ontologies, both indigenous and non-indigenous, were excluded. Building on the analysis of how ontological exclusion occurred, speculative design was engaged to critically imagine a pluralist ontological proposal. A database with diverse water inputs and outputs for more sustainable and inclusive planning is envisaged. This proposition grounds reflections on challenges for ontological inclusion in the context of political, economic, and social inequalities. Ontological inclusion and exclusion complement classic concepts of social and epistemic inclusion with distinct normative demands and propositions for established participatory environmental governance.
format Article
id doaj-art-650fe73d0aa846b693292e25df37b4b9
institution DOAJ
issn 2639-5908
2639-5916
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series Ecosystems and People
spelling doaj-art-650fe73d0aa846b693292e25df37b4b92025-08-20T03:22:00ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEcosystems and People2639-59082639-59162024-12-0120110.1080/26395916.2024.2405683Going upstream: a pluri-ontological analysis and proposal for Brazilian participatory water governanceThomas Rickard0David Ludwig1Raoni Rajão2Department of Cartography, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, BrazilKnowledge, Technology and Innovation group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The NetherlandsDepartment of Cartography, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, BrazilDespite the growing emphasis on ontological pluralism in environmental policy debates, innovation within national state environmental governance and management remains limited. This article outlines a conceptual framework for ontological inclusion and exclusion to examine constraints and opportunities in Brazilian participatory water governance. This involves an ontological policy cycle of the Suaçuí state river basin, a participatory process for water-body classification, and a water-body-classification instrument. River ontologies of the Suaçuí river basin and participatory process were found to be excluded from the water-body classification instrument through various practices and modes of exclusion. Relational ontologies, both indigenous and non-indigenous, were excluded. Building on the analysis of how ontological exclusion occurred, speculative design was engaged to critically imagine a pluralist ontological proposal. A database with diverse water inputs and outputs for more sustainable and inclusive planning is envisaged. This proposition grounds reflections on challenges for ontological inclusion in the context of political, economic, and social inequalities. Ontological inclusion and exclusion complement classic concepts of social and epistemic inclusion with distinct normative demands and propositions for established participatory environmental governance.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2024.2405683Paula NovoOntologyBrazilwater governancepolicyparticipation
spellingShingle Thomas Rickard
David Ludwig
Raoni Rajão
Going upstream: a pluri-ontological analysis and proposal for Brazilian participatory water governance
Ecosystems and People
Paula Novo
Ontology
Brazil
water governance
policy
participation
title Going upstream: a pluri-ontological analysis and proposal for Brazilian participatory water governance
title_full Going upstream: a pluri-ontological analysis and proposal for Brazilian participatory water governance
title_fullStr Going upstream: a pluri-ontological analysis and proposal for Brazilian participatory water governance
title_full_unstemmed Going upstream: a pluri-ontological analysis and proposal for Brazilian participatory water governance
title_short Going upstream: a pluri-ontological analysis and proposal for Brazilian participatory water governance
title_sort going upstream a pluri ontological analysis and proposal for brazilian participatory water governance
topic Paula Novo
Ontology
Brazil
water governance
policy
participation
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2024.2405683
work_keys_str_mv AT thomasrickard goingupstreamapluriontologicalanalysisandproposalforbrazilianparticipatorywatergovernance
AT davidludwig goingupstreamapluriontologicalanalysisandproposalforbrazilianparticipatorywatergovernance
AT raonirajao goingupstreamapluriontologicalanalysisandproposalforbrazilianparticipatorywatergovernance