Mistaking publics: a challenge for environmental governance

The chapter reflects on recent trends in environmental governance, focusing on a type of paradox. New policy instruments appear to be creating stronger links between policy makers and addressees, policy formulation and implementation, strengthening the role of the public. Yet looking closer, their rationale seems at odds with such a goal or outcome. Regulatory arrangements may mistake the public they play a role in building, failing to address the latter’s actual interests and concerns. This argument is developed through exploring the notion of public, looking at the conditions of use of environmental resources, examining the controversy over the latest generation of governance arrangements, elaborating on the latter’s logic and briefly reflecting on alternative directions.