Historical Governance in Global Coffee Chains: Structures, Power, and Options

This doctoral research project traces the historical evolution of governance models within the global coffee commodity chain, from the regulatory era of the International Coffee Agreement (ICA) to the contemporary landscape dominated by private sustainability standards and emerging producer-driven initiatives. The study critically examines the shift from intergovernmental mechanisms—such as export quotas and price stabilization accords—to a fragmented system where NGOs, multinational corporations, and producer nations themselves now wield significant normative power. Employing a qualitative case study methodology, the research will utilize historical archival data from international organizations and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders across the chain (including policymakers, standard-setters, corporate buyers, and producer representatives). This empirical data will be analyzed through a critical discourse analysis (CDA) framework to deconstruct the power dynamics, competing narratives, and ideological assumptions that have shaped these governance transitions. The project aims to make a significant contribution by providing a nuanced, historically-grounded analysis of power redistribution in global agro-food chains. It seeks to illuminate the implications of this governance evolution for equity, resilience, and development outcomes in coffee-producing countries, ultimately proposing a refined theoretical model for understanding governance in global commodity chains.