The Political Economy of Transition: Socio-Ecological Change in Antioquia

Many sustainable development practices come with grand promises of empowerment for local communities but, in reality, sideline the people they aim to help. In Antioquia, Colombia, initiatives have spurred development but also led to displacement and growing inequalities. Little is known about how these projects work on the ground, how decisions are made, and which actors call the proverbial shots.

This research project studies sustainable development practices in Antioquia, how they are understood and governed, and the differentiated ways in which actors contribute. It develops John Dewey's idea of solving social problems as a collective learning process into a framework for understanding political-economic phenomena. Each practice is treated as an ongoing negotiation where people identify issues, try solutions, and adjust their actions over time. The research involves three sub-cases from the region, including a hydropower project, small-scale gold mining formalisation efforts, and programs to enhance participatory democracy.

To meet the research aims, the study draws on fieldwork conducted in Antioquia, involving interviews, participant observation and document analysis. Interviews with participants will provide data that contributes to our understanding of actors' involvement in the three types of sustainable development practice. Observing community meetings and project activities will show how decisions are made, and the review of relevant documents and archives will provide important historical context as I 'trace' the history of these learning processes. The findings will show whether communities have a meaningful voice in these initiatives. This "learning by doing" lens can also highlight ways to make development projects more participatory. The project will provide deep insight for policymakers in Antioquia and beyond on creating more democratic, locally driven sustainable development.