Environmental Governance and Social Organization: An Approach from Collective Action in Rural Areas of Mexico

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20032462

Abstract

This article focuses on analyzing the relationship between environmental governance and social organization in the municipality of Coahuayana, Michoacán. The study highlights the importance of key principles such as active community participation, co-responsibility, and collective action, which are essential to ensuring the viability and success of sustainable development strategies in the region. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques, and employs innovative tools such as fuzzy cognitive maps to analyze the situation. The findings show that a strong social organization, guided by governance principles, is key to strengthening local capacities and facilitating the implementation of sustainable projects such as ecotourism. In addition, the study demonstrates that community participation and collaboration among different social actors foster an environment in which environmental initiatives can thrive and remain sustainable in the long term. The study concludes that the integration of strong and effective environmental governance with an organized and participatory social structure is essential to promote robust sustainable development in Coahuayana, enabling the community to make responsible and participatory use of its resources and ensuring a more balanced and environmentally respectful future.