“Inaction” as a form of Governmentality in Ecuador: A Critique of Good Governance Theory

• In Event: Inmigración venezolana en el Ecuador: acceso a derechos, trabajo y política pública

Abstract

My paper analyzes, from a theoretical perspective, the response that the Ecuadorian state gave to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela between 2017 and 2018. More specifically, it looks at its “inaction” in relation to the migratory crisis as a form of governmentality. Much of the literature both on governance and governmental action in developing states portrays inaction as an expression of ineffective governance. Much of this literature centers its attention on corruption and public-sector ineffectiveness as obstacles on “good governance.” In this paper I argue that the literature on good governance is misplaced when it considers inaction as the absence of effective governance. Focusing on state-theory and governmentality studies, my aim in this paper is, on the one hand, to show that looking at inaction in state-theoretical terms through a governmentality lens, is a more useful and productive way of understanding why governments sometimes appear inactive and ineffective. I contend, more specifically, that inaction is a strategically oriented governmentality that transcends the notion of ineffective governance. As mentioned above, I will utilize the example of Ecuador and its government’s reaction to the migratory crisis in Venezuela to illustrate my theoretical arguments.

Author

• Esteban J Nicholls, Universidad Andina Simon Bolivar