Property regimes and commoning processes in Chilean coastal territories: conflicts, social dilemmas and governance challenges

Abstract

Purpose The article addresses the gap between the Chilean legal and institutional framework and local commoning processes regarding natural and environmental resources in coastal areas of south-central Chile. The research identifies conflicts and social dilemmas arising from this gap, along with corresponding governance challenges and potential solutions. Design/methodology/approach This article is based on transdisciplinary research conducted over the past five years in seven rural locations of south-central Chile, employing a participatory approach and various qualitative methods, such as key informant interviews, ethnographic and participant observation, actor mapping and social cartography. A methodological triangulation strategy was employed to interpret the information gathered from these diverse sources. Findings Based on case studies, the research identifies key conflicts and social dilemmas arising under eight distinct property regimes, each characterized by weak or strong State capacity to enforce property rights. Simultaneously, drawing on existing literature, three primary approaches to resolving these conflicts and social dilemmas were identified: (1) strengthening territorial planning policies; (2) enhancing local safeguard systems and (3) promoting community participation. Originality/value The article highlights the main limitations of the existing Chilean neoliberal legal and institutional framework, which is based on the public-private property binary, in addressing conflicts and social dilemmas arising from effective communal use practices of various natural and environmental resources in the context of climate change.