Contested forests: how transnational networks mitigate and reproduce conflict

This article examines how transnational networks, through their interactions with legal and societal structures, both mitigate and exacerbate forest conflicts, which often stem from competing interests over forest use, unclear property rights, deforestation, and state policy. Foregrounding the central thesis that strengthening legal frameworks and empowerment mechanisms can significantly enhance the conflict-resolution potential of transnational networks, the paper adopts a reframed socio-legal analytical approach that investigates the interplay between societal norms, power asymmetries, and institutional arrangements. We first examine the structural drivers and embedded nature of forest conflict, before exploring the dual role played by transnational networks in both aggravating and resolving tensions. The paper then assesses how power imbalances, environmental safeguards, and participatory mechanisms affect network efficacy. By critically examining case examples such as REDD+, FSC, and IPLC advocacy alliances, we show that while transnational networks hold promise in democratizing forest governance, their potential is contingent upon inclusive structures, balanced power dynamics, and enforceable safeguards. This article contributes to forest governance literature by offering a nuanced understanding of how legal empowerment and network-based governance intersect in conflict-prone settings.