Left, right and centre – Policy note n°4 – Water mediation
Définir l'agenda de la recherche
Dossier et commentaire
The fourth article in our series “Left, Right and Centre” analyses how technocratic solutions to complex water issues often ignore social-ecological tradeoffs and governance complexities and can lead to tension or conflict between concerned actors. In this edition, we explore mediation as a tool for building common ground between parties in conflict and overcoming common barriers to science and policy implementation.
There remains a common misconception that societies can (or should) engineer their way out of any and every water problem they face. Not enough water? Build more dams! Increase efficiency! Desalinate! While academic scholars have long debunked the myth of technocratic solutionism and have steadily moved towards more inclusive institutional governance approaches (Balasubramanya et al., 2022), policymakers and practitioners still frequently overlook the limitations inherent to simple engineering fixes. Technocratic solutions, such as supply management, are often considered an easier path compared to necessary normative behavioural changes, such as demand management interventions.
Dive into the full analysis by downloading the document below.
Left, right and centre – Policy note n°4 – Water mediation
Télécharger
