Who's getting what? The dynamics of power, patronage, and clientelism in climate change adaptation initiatives in Bangladesh

Nazneen, Marina (2023) Who's getting what? The dynamics of power, patronage, and clientelism in climate change adaptation initiatives in Bangladesh. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

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Abstract

The research examines existing climate fund disbursement modality, vulnerable needs, compliancy of climate adaptation projects to existing policies and programmes, and current climate clientelism culture in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. The research conducted a vulnerability analysis within climate-prone communities of Charfesson under Bhola district of Bangladesh to understand how vulnerable communities (VCs) perceive their needs and vulnerabilities at the local levels and cross-analysed whether climate funds are directed to address these existing socio-political dynamics. Primary information is collected through 25 Key Informants Interviews (KIIs) and 13 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), followed by 95 surveys to validate the collected data. The subjects of the interviews and discussions included vulnerable people living in the areas and officials and experts who had knowledge of the issues under investigation. Key findings of the research show how resources are channelled to areas with political influence and the real needs of vulnerable populations remain unsatisfied. It reveals the clear presence of political influence in climate fund disbursement, projects’ selection procedure, and area of implementation. This political presence is predominant due to concurrent practices of clientelism and patron-client relationship culture within the government. Patrons satisfy clients for their own vested interests. In return, clients return the favour in the way patrons demand. As VCs have no participation in the formula-on, implementation, and monitoring phases of climate adaptation projects, they remain deprived because adaptation projects are being custom-tailored as development initiatives. In conclusion, the study comes up with a new model, titled ‘Charfesson Model of Adaptation’ which represents the findings of the study; the key players’ role and responsibility in all the phases from fund allocation to implementation of climate projects, exposing the barriers for successful adaptation among vulnerable communities. The study argues that though demands are unsatisfied, VCs are somewhat happy as they tend to operate with minimum or no expectations and are satisfied with the smallest gains (Trickle effect). However, the research suggests that to attain the Funds’ objectives relevant training with proper monitoring and evaluation of projects is essential with comprehensive vulnerability assessment. Also, policymakers should involve vulnerable communities in decision-making process and implement coordination mechanisms inclusively.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Additional Information:	© 2023 Marina Nazneen
Library of Congress subject classification:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > HJ Public Finance J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Sets:	Departments > Geography and Environment
Supervisor:	Conway, Declan and Fankhauser, Samuel
URI:	http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/4658

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