Comparing forest decentralization and local institutional change in Bolivia, Kenya, Mexico and Uganda

Abstract

In this paper we assess the institutional and environmental impacts of forest decentralization policies in Bolivia, Kenya, Mexico, and Uganda. Although decentralization is often described as if it were a single policy intervention, many different types of reforms have been described as decentralization. We develop theories of institutional impacts based upon the specific decentralization reforms in the specific context of each country and then argue that decentralization impacts are moderated by a set of control variables. Using data from the International Forestry Resources and Institutions Program, we estimated the effects of forest decentralization on local forest investments, rulemaking, wealth inequality, and forest conditions.