This book investigates whether rural communities possess the capacity and incentive to effectively manage natural resources to prevent environmental degradation. Jean-Marie Baland, an economist specializing in development and environmental issues, synthesizes economic theory with empirical data to evaluate the viability of decentralized resource governance. The text argues that while local management is often proposed as a solution, its success depends heavily on specific institutional frameworks and the alignment of individual incentives with collective sustainability goals.

Experts in development economics frequently cite this work as a rigorous analytical framework for understanding the complexities of community-led conservation. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which requires a foundational understanding of microeconomic theory to fully grasp the arguments presented.