70
3
In other words, a discourse may create foundations for interpretation of concrete
cases, and at the same time, they are used as proof of perspectives and claims of
the discourse.
The production of discourses as well as of discursive narratives provides examples of the agency-structure relation we presented in 7 Chap. 1. Some actors may
consciously contribute to the production of discursive narratives in order to communicate their messages. This is, in other words, an attempt to exert discursive
power (also presented in 7 Chap. 1). Others may learn about a case of an issue
without realizing that this is based on specific claims, interpretations and agendas.
There are other narrative concepts with similarities and differences compared
to that presented here. Emery Roe has played a seminal role in focusing on narratives in analyses relevant to natural resources and development (Roe 1991, 1995,
1999). We believe his focus is important, even though his conceptual apparatus
differs from ours.
Roe’s main narrative concept is similar to what we may call a storyline of a
discourse. This provides a central element of a discourse and relates the course of
action that may happen if certain premises are met. Thus, development narratives,
as Roe calls them, describe what will happen from a given starting point. One such
development narrative is ‘Everything works ... except in Africa’ (Roe 1999: 2). Roe
rightfully criticizes this and other development narratives for having a weak empirical basis.
Our concept of discursive narrative differs from Roe’s narrative by providing
claims about what has happened or is happening in specific cases of an issue, and
with a clearer actor perspective. Roe uses his narrative concept about more general
claims of development directions given a specific start.
Furthermore, in his book on ‘the postmodern condition’, French philosopher
Jean-François Lyotard argued that society is on its way to a postmodern state in
which what he called ‘grand narratives’ or ‘metanarratives’ are on the way out.
Instead, ‘small narratives’ that are negotiated locally will more and more take over
(Lyotard 1997). Lyotard’s concept of grand narratives refers to something more
wide-ranging than discursive narratives or discourses presented in this book.
Lyotard referred rather to general ideologies, such as Christianity, Islam, communism and capitalism.
We do not, however, agree that society is evolving as Lyotard argued. Recent
discourses on environmental governance for instance can to a great extent be associated with wider ideologies. Moreover, we see that they are widespread as an
aspect of the present cultural globalization. Many of these discourses embrace
neoliberalism and economic globalization, while others tend to be fundamentally
critical to the these. Lyotard’s argument of the greater role of small narratives
stands in contrast to observations that global actors often strongly influence practices at the local level with their interpretation of situations through discursive
narratives. These narratives usually deal with local conditions, but draw from discourses with a global coverage.
Chapter 3 · Discourses and Narratives on Environment and Development: The Example…
3
In other words, a discourse may create foundations for interpretation of concrete
cases, and at the same time, they are used as proof of perspectives and claims of
the discourse.
The production of discourses as well as of discursive narratives provides examples of the agency-structure relation we presented in 7 Chap. 1. Some actors may
consciously contribute to the production of discursive narratives in order to communicate their messages. This is, in other words, an attempt to exert discursive
power (also presented in 7 Chap. 1). Others may learn about a case of an issue
without realizing that this is based on specific claims, interpretations and agendas.
There are other narrative concepts with similarities and differences compared
to that presented here. Emery Roe has played a seminal role in focusing on narratives in analyses relevant to natural resources and development (Roe 1991, 1995,
1999). We believe his focus is important, even though his conceptual apparatus
differs from ours.
Roe’s main narrative concept is similar to what we may call a storyline of a
discourse. This provides a central element of a discourse and relates the course of
action that may happen if certain premises are met. Thus, development narratives,
as Roe calls them, describe what will happen from a given starting point. One such
development narrative is ‘Everything works ... except in Africa’ (Roe 1999: 2). Roe
rightfully criticizes this and other development narratives for having a weak empirical basis.
Our concept of discursive narrative differs from Roe’s narrative by providing
claims about what has happened or is happening in specific cases of an issue, and
with a clearer actor perspective. Roe uses his narrative concept about more general
claims of development directions given a specific start.
Furthermore, in his book on ‘the postmodern condition’, French philosopher
Jean-François Lyotard argued that society is on its way to a postmodern state in
which what he called ‘grand narratives’ or ‘metanarratives’ are on the way out.
Instead, ‘small narratives’ that are negotiated locally will more and more take over
(Lyotard 1997). Lyotard’s concept of grand narratives refers to something more
wide-ranging than discursive narratives or discourses presented in this book.
Lyotard referred rather to general ideologies, such as Christianity, Islam, communism and capitalism.
We do not, however, agree that society is evolving as Lyotard argued. Recent
discourses on environmental governance for instance can to a great extent be associated with wider ideologies. Moreover, we see that they are widespread as an
aspect of the present cultural globalization. Many of these discourses embrace
neoliberalism and economic globalization, while others tend to be fundamentally
critical to the these. Lyotard’s argument of the greater role of small narratives
stands in contrast to observations that global actors often strongly influence practices at the local level with their interpretation of situations through discursive
narratives. These narratives usually deal with local conditions, but draw from discourses with a global coverage.
Chapter 3 · Discourses and Narratives on Environment and Development: The Example…