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Advancing adaptive governance of social-ecological systems through theoretical multiplicity

The aim of this paper is to examine adaptive governance as a theory of environmental governance.
Multiple Authors
Tiangoua KONE

Introduction

In the last decade there has been increasing interest in the governance of complex sustainability issues. Adaptive governance has evolved as an analytical approach for understanding natural resource governance that takes as its foundation the interdependence of social and ecological systems (Dietz et al., 2003; Folke, 2007; Folke et al., 2005).

The aim of this paper* is to examine adaptive governance as a theory of environmental governance. In particular, the authors seek to evaluate how adaptive governance as a theoretical lens is applied to real-world problems and explore the potential value of theoretical multiplicity in progressing new understandings of adaptive governance. This open-access paper was published in March 2016 in Volume 57 of Environmental Science & Policy.

*This article provides a summary of this paper. For the full text please refer to the downloadavailable from the right-hand column and via the link under Further Resources.

Adaptive governance and new modes of governing

In a world that changes both slowly and abruptly in unpredictable directions, the notion of adaptive governance brings attention to how social-ecological systems can adapt to constantly changing conditions, especially where decisions need to be taken under high uncertainty (Brugnach et al., 2008; Hurlbert and Diaz, 2013).

What is theoretical multiplicity?

Theoretical multiplicity can be defined as a meta-paradigmatic approach which recognises the value of exploring areas where theories overlap or can inform each other without undermining the distinctiveness of individual theories (Dewulf et al., 2009; Termeer and Dewulf, 2012). Theoretical multiplicity rests on the notion that, by using a variety of theories, a more nuanced understanding can be attained of ‘wicked’ societal and sustainability issues.

Relevance of theoretical multiplicity to adaptive governance scholarship

Theoretical multiplicity can be of added value since it can cast new light on how to conceptualise complex issues that are currently epistemologically ‘grey areas’ of adaptive governance scholarship, for instance issues that pertain to the conceptualisation of power and politics.

Methodology

We draw on systematic review methods as a way to develop conceptual insights on the current state of knowledge in adaptive governance, focusing on the period 2005–2014.

Systematic review methods differ from traditional literature reviews in that they can yield a comprehensive assessment of the state of knowledge by applying rigorous, objective and transparent steps and criteria for reaching conclusions from a body of scientific literature.

Key insights

  • We find that there are still few alternative governance theories to draw upon that can handle processes of change characterised by nonlinear dynamics, threshold effects, cascades and limited predictability.
  • Water management related topics tend to be over-represented in the literature. In contrast, while there is an increasing emphasis on topics such as coastal management, urban sustainability and food security, these are still topics that are far less represented in the literature.
  • The majority of articles on adaptive governance have been carried out in developed countries.There are critical theoretical research areas that are most relevant to social-ecological dynamics and governance in developing economies that are less represented in the literature.
  • One particularly important research opportunity is how to go beyond ‘just managing’ vicious cycles of poverty, social exclusion and environmental harm in the Global South towards recognising the need for governance flexibility, creativity and innovation.
  • Recent innovative foci of adaptive governance scholarship are represented by articles that develop links with other theories and approaches (theoretical multiplicity).
  • Theoretical multiplicity can in the long run expand the relevance of adaptive governance in social-ecological systems research and contribute to a more robust theory that can be used to address a greater variety of governance contexts.

This article is based on an open-access paper published in Volume 57 of Environmental Science & Policy.

Suggested Citation

Karpouzogloua, T., Dewulf, A. and Clark, J., 2016. Advancing adaptive governance of social-ecological systems through theoretical multiplicity. Environ. Sci. Policy 57. 1-9

Supplementary Data

Supplementary data associated with this article can be found, in the online version, at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2015.11.011.

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