Government-NGO Networks & Nature Conservation in Belize: Examining the Theory of the Hollow State in a Developing Country Context

We use the Theory of the Hollow State to explore public-private-partnerships in Belize, Central America. Networks of contracted relationships between Belizean governments and domestic non-government organizations (NGOs) were created to manage a significant portion of Belize's extensive system of protected areas. Because of limited resources, the Belizean state, however, has been a weak network hub, leading to the rise of a separate network among the NGOs themselves. Instead of hollowing out the state, we argued that the NGO network has helped to fill one in by providing a state-like presence that otherwise would be absent. This article adds to our understanding of nature conservation in weak states while attempting to internationalize public administration theory.