STUDY FOCUS This study examines the complex dynamics of water insecurity faced by households displaced by Typhoon Haiyan in resettlement villages in the Philippines. While much of the existing research has concentrated on water availability and accessibility, this paper highlights the critical role of power and politics in shaping water governance. By employing political ecology and water governance perspectives, the study investigates the overlapping drivers of water insecurity in these post-disaster contexts. Key findings identify five main drivers: inadequate relocation of displaced persons to areas lacking basic facilities; institutional disharmony and delayed involvement of water agencies; governance regime influences leading to substandard housing and water systems; micropolitics affecting water district management; and the economic impacts of maladaptive resettlement on households’ ability to afford water. POLICY RECOMMENDATION The study advocates for improved institutional arrangements to enhance the governance of water services in resettlement communities. This includes fostering better coordination among water institutions during resettlement processes, ensuring that basic services like water are prioritized in relocation plans, and addressing power dynamics within local governance structures. By focusing on these areas, policymakers can work towards more equitable and sustainable water security outcomes for disaster-displaced populations. STUDY FOCUS This paper investigates the effects of local democratic decision-making in authoritarian contexts, specifically examining whether participatory budgeting can enhance civic engagement and government accountability. Conducted as an intervention involving over 20 million people in China, the study randomly assigned communities to either a treatment group, where citizens engaged in deliberative processes to allocate local community budgets, or a control group. The findings reveal that participatory decision-making significantly increased various forms of civic engagement beyond the budgeting process within six months of the intervention. Residents in treatment communities expressed a greater need for improvements from the central government, suggesting a potential shift towards seeking accountability from an authoritarian regime. Additionally, these changes were associated with a more positive societal outlook and increased satisfaction with government policies. POLICY RECOMMENDATION The study recommends that policymakers and local authorities in authoritarian settings consider implementing participatory budgeting as a means to foster civic engagement and enhance accountability. By encouraging citizen involvement in local decision-making, governments can create pathways for greater public input and oversight, ultimately leading to improved governance and more responsive policies. Such initiatives might not only empower communities but also lead to a more engaged citizenry that holds authorities accountable for their actions. Cuaton, Ginbert Permejo, Yvonne Su, Pamela Katic, and Masaru Yarime, “Unpacking water governance dynamics and its implications for household water security in post-disaster resettlement communities in the Philippines,” Geoforum, 154, 104053 (2024). Wu, Sherry Jueyu, Ke Michael Mai, Ming Zhuang, and Fangxin Yi. “A large-scale field experiment on participatory decision-making in China.” Nature Human Behaviour (2024): 1-8. SOCIAL AND URBAN POLICY 23 SCHOLARLY SHOWCASE
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