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Negotiating recreational access under asymmetrical power relations: the case of inland waterways in England

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

This article addresses recreational conflict between anglers and boaters in England. While recognizing that interpersonal conflicts between individual anglers and boaters exist much as they do in other countries, the article argues that the position in England is mediated through complex land and property rights that position the stakeholders asymmetrically, as legal rights holders (anglers) and moral rights claimants (boaters). Under this scenario, negotiated attempts to increase access for boaters are interpreted not primarily as a means of addressing the asymmetry, but as a mechanism for underwriting the dominant property power of the anglers. Using data collected from focus groups involving stakeholders, the article suggests that in cases where recreational access to natural resources is mediated through sociopolitical institutions such as law, weaker stakeholders have very limited options in terms of the legal or social mechanisms through which he can pursue or assert their claims.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 213-227

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Society and Natural Resources (Volume 20, Issue 3)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 06/03/2006
  • Published - 01/03/2007

Publication status

Published - 01/03/2007

ISSN

0894-1920

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/625168
  • Scopus: 33847765696

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