Towards State Hegemony Over Agricultural Certification: From Voluntary Private to Mandatory State Regimes on Palm Oil in Indonesia
Abstract: Previous work on
certification of palm oil has reported on a trend toward a change, from failed
state regulation to voluntary, private governance. However, recent observations
suggest a trend, moving from voluntary, private governance to mandatory state
governance in palm oil certification in Indonesia, a move in which the state is
reclaiming authority. In this light, the aims of our research are (1) to
identify the main actors involved in certification politics, (2) to explain
this trend in terms of the actors' interests and whatever benefits may result
for them. We developed our research questions based on bureaucratic politics
and power theory. A mix of document analysis, interviews, and observations are
applied for addressing the questions. The results answer our research
questions, i.e., that (1) the state claims back its authority over
certification from private actors and contributed to the complex meta
governance of palm oil certification, the state mandatory scheme that is
supported by states' bureaucracies in charge reduces the influence of
non-government or private actors. (2) This trend is due to a coalition of
specific state bureaucracies and big industry interests, which grant privileges
to industry that are denied to small producers. Unexpectedly, all Indonesian
bureaucracies associated with this trend support mandatory state certification,
which indicates that palm oil has been elevated in importance to become a
matter of national, rather than mere bureaucratic interest. Making
certification mandatory through coercive regulatory power is the main tool with
which state power can challenge voluntary implementation and reclaim authority.
Furthermore, the state needs the voluntary system to exist as well in order to
strengthen its position. Therefore, the voluntary and the compulsory systems
collaborate to attract global initiatives, which is contributing to the high
complex of meta governance.
Keywords: international
regimes, transnational regimes, RSPO, ISPO, meta governance, palm oil,
Indonesia
Author: Muhammad Alif
Kaimuddin Sahide, Sarah Burns, Agung Wibowo, Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat, Lukas
Giessen
Journal Code: jpkehutanangg150022
