Abstract

Forest degradation has been and remains a challenge in Malawi despite having formal forest institutions to remedy the situation. This study aimed at solving a puzzle presented in literature of not employing a political approach in analysing how the politics of policy implementation in the eforestry sector. To solve this puzzle this study adopted a political economy approach by analysing the interest of the relevant stakeholders and effectiveness of forest institutions. This study used qualitative methods to collect data to data from Dedza and Zomba forest plantations. It using semi-structured and key informant interviews. This study found that Institutions do affect policy outcomes in the implementation of forest policy in Malawi. The study further found that institutions make up the working rules that determine and influence the actions that are taken by stakeholders in their access and withdrawal of forest resources. The argument is that the interest, incentives and effectiveness of both formal and informal forest institutions do affect the success of forest policy implementation. In addition to this, this study has discovered that there is an interaction between formal and informal institutions in the management of forest resources. This kind of interaction does positively and negatively affect policy outcomes.

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School	: School of Law, Economics and Government
Issued Date	: 2021

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